All things Twilight belong to the Talented Stephenie Meyer
Songs For Thought:
Archetype - Fear Factory, Bound & Tied - Creed, Self Deception - Lacuna Coil
Chapter Twenty-Four - Volturi
On the other side of the gate was a long room with a heavy wooden door standing at the opposite end. We made our way towards the open door and stepped through into a brightly lit hallway. It was a very plain and could have been in any professional building, but it made my skin crawl. Jane stood at the end of the corridor beside the lone elevator. Edward was as tense as I was but Bella seemed lulled into a false sense of security. The warmth and familiarity of the corridor seemed to ease her fear.
Edward and I headed towards the elevator, Edward pulled Bella gently with him. The door behind us creaked as it was closed and the bolt scraped as it was pushed closed. The sound was ominous and Bella jumped, seemingly shocked back into the reality of the situation.
Jane waited by the elevator, as we approached her expression was impassive. The door slid open before we reached her but we entered silently. Jane, Demetri and Felix relaxed as they pushed their hoods from their heads and let them fall to their shoulders. Each of the three had crimson irises. Bella cringed away from them and into Edward, his arm still moved along her arm methodically rubbing, trying to ease her worry, however, his eyes never strayed far from Jane. I was knew that he was dubious of her and the reaction aroused my curiosity. I was more focused on the thought of Felix, he was trying to decide how he would kill Bella. His decisions at the moment were to kill her slowly in front of Edward, forcing him to watch her writhe in pain, and then kill Edward. he had no thoughts of me, but I was not comforted.
When the doors slid open a very upscale reception sat in front of us. A lone desk sat in the middle of the room with a human receptionist sat behind it. She was a tall well dressed Italian girl, who looked completely comfortable surrounded by the five vampires that just walked into the room.
She smiled politely at us as we ventured further into the room.
"Good afternoon, Jane."
Jane nodded in acknowledgment, "Gianna" she continued to a set of double doors at the back of the room, we followed, there was obviously no need for a formal announcement when Jane was present.
On the other side of the doors a pale boy, the same age as Jane, in a pearl gray suit greeted us. He reached for the small girl, "Jane."
As they stood in close proximity of one another it was obvious that they were twins, I shuddered to think what the two of them would be capable of it they were left to roam free with no ruling. Their sweet angelic faces could easily lure in anybody, and I'm sure with their lithe movements they would be capable of massacring a small village. Edward glanced over at me as these thoughts crossed my mind, I shrugged defensively.
"Alec," she responded, embracing him. They kissed one another's cheeks in greeting. Alec then turned to face us. His eyes lit up in pleasure.
"They send you out for one and you come back with two . . . and a half." He eyed Bella curiously. "Nice work."
Jane giggled, sugary sweet and full of pride.
"Welcome back, Edward." Alec said happily. "You seem in a better mood."
"Marginally." Answered Edward, showing no emotion. I knew how his mood had improved, but Bella looked at him curiously. I'm sure she was wondering how foul his mood had been considering he was in such a foreboding somberness now.
Alec chuckled as if Edward had told a fabulous joke, but his gaze turned to Bella, she immediately shied away and hid closer to Edward, his arms still tight around her waist gladly held her closer.
"And this is the cause of all the trouble?" Alec asked skeptically.
Edward smiled disdainfully, then his entire body froze. I knew my brother well enough to know that he'd picked up someone's thoughts and he hadn't liked what he'd heard.
"Dibs," Felix called from behind us and I watched as Edward turned slowly, a indignant snarl building in his chest. This was why he had frozen, I was sure Felix had been thinking about his little plan. One I had heard whilst Edward had been preoccupied listening to Jane's thoughts in the elevator.
Felix smiled iniquitously—he raised his hand, palm up and curled his fingers twice, he was trying to provoke Edward.
I saw an immediate flash of a very brutal fight with no winner and I knew that it was worthless and nonsensical. They would have their fight in time, but this was not the time or the place. I rested my hand on Edward's arm. "Patience."
Edward turned to look at me. 'You will have your chance with him Edward, but if we have any hope of getting of here, with Bella and our lives, we need to play it cool. He will be yours one day. Of that, dear brother, I am certain.'
Edward took a deep breath to calm his anger and turned back to Alec.
"Let's not keep him waiting," Jane suggested, smiling peacefully. She obviously enjoyed the little exchange between Felix and my brother. For a woman with the body of a small child she was twisted and very sadistic. Not that it surprised me.
Edward nodded once to acknowledge her words.
Alec and Jane, holding hands, led the way down another wide and ornate hall there were a pair of large doors at the end of the hall, they were gold and gaudy, but we didn't get close to them. We stopped halfway down the hall and Alec stepped forward and slid a piece of paneling to the side, revealing a small wooden door. He opened it and held it open for Jane. The room was made of ancient stone once again and the temperature dropped. Bella didn't looked pleased at the change of scenery and clung to Edward as we made our way through it. Thankfully, it was not a large room. It opened up into a cavernous, round room. That looked very much like the turrets that can be seen from outside the walls of the city. The light was brighter and more natural than that of any other room we had passed through. I looked around for the source of light and found that there were long thin rectangles letting the natural light flood the room. They were high enough that there could be no vision of the room or it's occupants from the outside. There were three chairs in the room, all ancient and made from a sturdy wood. They would definitely be considered antiques.
There was a small group of people gathered in the room, they were talking quietly amongst themselves about nothing of consequence. The conversation halted and all eyes were trained on us as we entered the room, most were dressed as casually as humans, and there was one of the three original Volturi, dressed in a long flowing robe and looking frail. I was amazed at the appearance of his skin. I had never seen anything like it.
"Jane, dear one, you've returned!" his voice was softer than any I had heard before. He moved surreptitiously across the floor with a poise and grace that even I found astounding. The group moved forward collectively and I watched as they all peered at us curiously. Each of the red eyes following our every movement. Aro glided towards Jane and held her small face in his delicate looking hands and kissed her lips, before stepping back.
"Yes, master." Jane smiled, happy with the compliment that had obviously been paid to her. "I brought him back alive, as you wished."
"Ah, Jane." He smiled happily as if his favorite dog had brought his newspaper. "You are such a comfort to me."
Aro then looked towards us, his expression brightening exponentially as he realized Edward, was in fact, not alone.
"And Alice and Bella, too!" he added gleefully clapping his hands together. "This is a happy surprise! Wonderful!"
I smiled trying to be polite as possible, he had greeted us like friends he hadn't seen in a long time. It wasn't a comforting feeling though, his over friendliness made me nervous and I kept my wits about me.
Aro looked at Felix and smiled. "Felix, be a dear and tell my brothers of our company. I'm sure they wouldn't want to miss this."
"Yes, Master." Felix nodded and disappeared through the door.
"You see Edward?" Aro said, as if he'd known all along that we'd show up in Volterra to take him home. "Aren't you glad that I didn't give you what you wanted yesterday?"
"Yes, Aro, I am." Edward answered obediently, but pulled Bella tighter to him defensively.
"I love a happy ending." Aro sighed happily. "They are so rare. But I want the whole story. How did this happen? Alice?"
He turned the full force of his gaze on me, curiosity spread behind his eyes. "Your brother seems to think you infallible, but apparently there was some mistake."
"Oh, I'm far from infallible." I smiled at him genuinely. I was trying to keep my stature relaxed, I wasn't sure how successful I was because my entire body felt numb to me, I wasn't sure if it was from fear or anticipation. "As you can see today, I cause problems as often as I cure them."
"You're too modest," Aro reproved. "I've seen some of your more amazing exploits, and I must admit I've never observed anything like your talent. Wonderful!"
I looked towards Edward, I wanted to make sure he would hear me. 'What the hell is this, have they been keeping tabs on us or something, how could he possibly know. Did you tell him?'
"I'm sorry," Aro said as he grinned mischievously. "We haven't been introduced properly have we? It's just that I feel like I know you already, and I tend to get ahead of myself. Your brother introduced us yesterday, in a peculiar way. You see, I share some of your brother's talent, only I am limited in a way that he is not."
Aro shook his head.
"And also exponentially more powerful." Edward added.
'What's that supposed to mean?' I asked him
"Aro needs physical contact to hear your thoughts, but he hears much more than I do. You know I can only hear what's passing through your head in the moment. Aro hears every thought your mind has ever had."
'He knows everything you have ever thought, even back to when you were human? Does that include our entire family and their histories? Every vision? Everything?' I asked silently in my mind. It was the safest place to ask questions right now. I could feel my eyebrows raise with the question.
Edward inclined his head in answer. Aro didn't miss the gesture.
"But to be able to hear from a distance . . ." Aro sighed acknowledge the exchange we had just traded. "That would be so convenient."
Aro looked past us and I could hear the shuffling of the vampires entering the room. I took the opportunity to see whether or not Aro had made a decision. I looked hard but all I could see were the questions he wanted to ask, he hadn't made a decision about our fates. I wasn't sure if that was good or bad. I followed the gaze of everyone else in the room and saw Felix entering with Caius and Marcus. The two elder vampires were similar to Aro, Marcus had long flowing dark hair and a scowl that seemed permanently etched on his snow white skin. Caius had snow white hair. Both wore long black robes that swept the floor around their feet as they walked. I knew the names well, Carlisle had spoken of them fondly, and now, here they were in the flesh, deciding our fate.
"Marcus, Caius, look!" Aro crooned. "Bella is alive after all, and Alice is here with her! Isn't that wonderful?"
Both Marcus and Caius looked indifferent, they were not interested in us, in fact, they looked disgusted about having to share the same air as us. Marcus looked bored, almost as though he were annoyed at having been disturbed. Caius was none to happy either.
Aro ignored their lack of enthusiasm.
"Let us have the story," Aro chimed happily. Caius moved away and headed towards the only furniture in the room, a small gathering of people followed him. Marcus paused next to Aro and touched his hand with his fingers, he was telling him his thoughts. Aro raised one of his brows.
Edward snorted at the exchange and I looked at him curiously.
'What was that for? Was he telling him his thoughts? Before you ask I have checked what they plan to do with us and Aro, up to this point, hasn't made any other decision than to ask us questions. We need to get out of this Edward, do you understand me? Hold your temper.'
"Thank you, Marcus," Aro said, "That was quite interesting."
Marcus, still looking just as indifferent as he had when he had entered the room, sauntered away and sat himself next to Caius. His entourage following closely.
My eyes strayed back to Aro who was shaking his head in wonder. "Amazing. Absolutely amazing."
I could feel my frustration, I couldn't understand what was going on and I didn't like that one little bit. Edward, immediately seeing my frustration turned to me. His voice was low.
"Marcus sees relationships. He's surprised by the intensity of ours."
"So convenient." Aro said to himself regretfully, he turned his red eyes back to us. "It takes quite a bit to surprise Marcus, I can assure you."
I watched Bella as she glanced quickly at Marcus, who was now sitting in his throne regally. The one thing Carlisle had failed to tell us, was how arrogant each of these men were. They had all, at one point, been friends with our father. And the rude and condescending manner in which they were treating us, caused me to wonder how such a friendship would have formed. Carlisle had such a gentle heart, I couldn't see him being so callous.
"It's just so difficult to understand, even now," Aro stated as he stared curiously at Edward's arm around Bella's waist.
'Edward,' I shouted at him in my mind. 'Come on we need to think of a way out of this."
"How can you stand so close to her like that?" Aro asked curiously.
"It's not without effort," Edward was keeping his calm like I had asked him too.
"But still—la tua cantante! What a waste!"
"I look at it more as a price." Edward chuckled humorlessly.
"A very high price."
"Opportunity cost."
"If I hadn't smelled her through your memories, I wouldn't have believed the call of anyone's blood could be so strong. I've never felt anything like it myself. Most of us would trade much for such a gift, and yet you . . ." Aro laughed.
"Waste it," Edward's voice concluded sarcastically. He was losing his patience.
Aro laughed again. "Ah, how I miss my friend Carlisle! You remind me of him—only he was not so angry."
"Carlisle outshines me in many other ways as well."
"I certainly never thought to see Carlisle bested for self-control of all things, but you put him to shame."
"Hardly," Edward was growing ever impatient at the constant goading from Aro. Bella looked nervous at his tone.
"I am gratified by his success, your memories of him are quite a gift for me, though they astonish me exceedingly. I am surprised by how it . . . pleases me, his success in this unorthodox path he's chosen. I expected that he would waste, weaken with time, I'd scoffed at his plan to find others who would share his peculiar vision. Yet, somehow, I'm happy to be wrong." Aro sang happily.
Edward said nothing, his temper was rising. 'Calm Edward, please. Remember who you have stood next to you! I understand your frustrations, but please take a breath and calm down."
"But your restraint!" Aro continued. "I did not know such strength was possible. To inure yourself against such a siren call, not just once but again and again—if I had not felt it myself, I would not have believed."
Edward, concentrating keeping his anger at bay, stood silently and expressionless. I knew that he never wanted Bella to hear those words. He had explained to her it was difficult and that her blood was, indeed, more tempting than most. But he had never wanted her to hear how painful it had always been for him, how much of a struggle he endured to be with her. That he was in constant battle with himself, his love battling his thirst.
But what Aro failed to mention was how love, consistently won. His love for her was now so much stronger that when ever the craving arose, he would battle it with every ounce of love he held for her. It was truly poetic.
"Just remembering how she appeals to you . . ." Aro chuckled. "It makes me thirsty."
I saw every muscle in Edwards body tense. 'Edward, he's enjoying this, don't give him the satisfaction. You're stronger than that.' I encouraged as Aro watched the change in stature.
"Don't be disturbed," Aro reassured him. "I mean her no harm. But I am so curious, about one thing in particular." He eyes fluttered over Bella, his expression was curious, there seemed to be no malice in his approach. "May I?" he asked lifting a hand towards Bella.
I held my breath and watched closely, I eyed the future trying to see what he was going to do. I let the breath out of my lungs as I realized he wanted to try and read her mind. I watched Edward closely, his jaw clenched angrily.
"Ask her," Edward answered.
"Of course, how rude of me! Bella," He turned directly to her. "I'm fascinated that you are the one exception to Edward's impressive talent—so very interesting that such a thing should occur! And I was wondering, since our talents are similar in many ways, if you would be so kind as to allow me to try—to see if you are and exception for me, as well?"
Bella looked to Edward for an answer, I could tell she was scared. Her eyes always grew larger. Edward tried to nod encouragingly but I knew he was just as anxious. Bella turned toward Aro again and held out her trembling hand. Aro excitedly glided closer, his face wearing the confidence that he would be the exception to the rule. He pressed his palm against Bella's, his expression held but dropped once he realized that he was, as was Edward, unable to read anything passing through her mind. I had a flicker of hope shoot through me as I saw Aro's curiosity grow. He was intrigued with Bella, he wanted to learn more about her. Once again, the word wasteful fluttered through his mind, but this was unusual. I tried to see if I could grasp at the outcome but it disappeared as his thoughts came back to the task at hand, testing Bella.
"So very interesting." He said as he dropped her hand gently and stepped back.
Bella and I both looked at Edward, there was a trace of smugness about him as he listened to Aro's thoughts. As I had already guessed, he hadn't heard a thing.
Aro was lost in thought, his eyes flickered between us as if in contemplation. He shook it off, literally before continuing.
"A first," He said quietly. "I wonder is she immune to our other talents . . . Jane, dear?"
"No!" Edward's temper flared immediately. I grabbed his arm quickly, I had to stop this, as much as I loved Bella, I knew her mind was locked and I had no doubt, this little girl could do her no harm. Edward, I wasn't so sure about. 'Edward, stop. You know Bella's mind is locked. What is it about this child that has you so. . .' I stopped as he shook my hand from him.
"Yes, Master?" Jane smiled up at Aro, pleasure written across her miniature features.
Edward was snarling now, his anger boiling over, his glance was trained heavily on Aro. I tried to watch his decisions, I wanted to try and stop him but he was acting on pure instinct, his only thought process was to protect Bella. There was no other decision. The room had turned their full attention to unraveling scene in front of them.
Felix took a step forward, towards Edward a hopeful look on his face as he eyed Edward's snarling lips. Aro looked at him once, a direct order shone from his eyes and Felix froze, his lips wore his sulk.
Aro spoke directly to Jane, ignoring the snarls emitting from Edward. "I was wondering, my dear one, if Bella is immune to you."
Edward dropped his arm from Bella's waist and stepped in front of her. I saw Caius move towards us with his group to get a better look at the scene.
I saw it too late, "Don't.' I cried as Edward lunged at the little girl, but he was no more than a foot away from us when he dropped to the ground. No one had had time to react to his movements, but the smile on little Jane's face told the story, she had intervened, she was the reason he was on the ground writhing in pain. She was getting her wish. Edward's agony was apparent on his face but he suffered it in silence. It seemed Jane's gift was indeed pain, and Edward was feeling every inch of it.
"Stop!" Bella shrieked and I moved the instant she made her decision. I caught her around the waist and held her, her fighting was futile against my strength. Bella's moans of torture escaped her, it was the pain of watching Edward suffer. I wasn't sure how much longer it would go on, I myself felt the need to close my eyes, the torturous expression in Edward's eyes was sickening. But he would survive it. I also knew when Aro had decided to stop it.
"Jane," Aro spoke her name as if she were merely playing with a doll, and he wished for her attention. Her eyes were immediately on her master and a happy grin sat upon her lips. Edward stilled the moment her watchful eyes were away from him.
Aro inclined his head to Bella. I shuddered. I hoped I had been right about the effect of Jane's little gift not working on Bella, because she was about to be tested.
Jane's smiled turned fully to Bella, but Bella's attention was still on Edward, and she struggled to break free of the small encircling prison of my arms. 'Edward, if you can hear me get up, Jane is about to try her little gift on Bella.'
"He's fine," I whispered into her ear. I watched as Edward sat up and jumped to his feet at my words. His face was filled with the horror of what was about to happen to Bella, but I nodded gently in the direction of Jane, she'd already started. His eyes followed my gaze, he realized that Jane was already trying, and he relaxed making his way back to us.
I turned once again to focus on Jane, who's adorable smile had now turned into a steely glare, she was focusing all of her efforts on Bella. This, apparently, was also a first for her. Bella stood preparing herself for the pain that never came. Edward stepped in beside Bella, and tapped my arm gently so that I could release her into his care. I withdrew my arms, never taking my eyes from the scene ahead of us.
Aro laughed heartily at the outcome of his little test. "This is wonderful!"
Jane hissed through her teeth and began leaning into an offensive stance.
"Don't be put out, dear one," Aro comforted her, he placed a hand on her shoulder. "She confounds us all."
Jane's lip curled in anger, I was sure this came from the young age her body had been when she was changed, she was acting like a spoilt child, unable to get her way.
Aro chuckled heartily again, "You're very brave, Edward, to endure in silence. I asked Jane to do that to me once—just out of curiosity." He shook his head again.
Edward wore his disgust in his glare, he wasn't entertained.
"So what do we do with you now?" Aro sighed, and I froze. This is what we had been waiting for. I looked into Aro's decisions, he intentions were actually reasonable.
"I don't suppose there's any chance you've changed your mind?" Aro directed at Edward hopefully. "Your talent would be an excellent addition to our little company."
Felix and Jane grimaced, they were in my line of sight. They didn't enjoy the idea of having Edward as a member of their exclusive little group.
"I'd . . . rather . . . not." Edward said, each word coming out as though well thought about.
"Alice?" my insides turned as he said my name. "Would you perhaps be interested in joining with us?"
"No, thank you," I answered editing my answer considerably, it wouldn't do to be impolite when we were at a possible crossroads.
"And you Bella?" Aro raised his eyebrows.
Edward's hiss was faint, and Bella stared incredulously at Aro, her eyes blinking quickly in disbelief. The silence was deafening.
Caius broke the silence first. "What?" his voice was quiet but stern, that's when I saw what he wanted to happen to us. He wasn't as reasonable as Aro, he wanted some kind of punishment for our actions. In his mind, we had broken the cardinal rule of vampirism, a human knew about us and existed among us as though nothing were unusual.
"Caius, surely you see the potential," Aro chastised playfully. "I haven't seen prospective talent so promising since we found Jane and Alec. Can you imagine the possibilities when she is one of us?"
Caius looked away and Jane's expression was murderous, she hadn't enjoyed the reference at all. I could hear Edward's low growl building. 'Edward, please. This could be our only way out. Let this play out, I have an idea.' I hoped he would listen to me, and if not to me, to the pleading look Bella was giving him.
"No, thank you," Bella's voice cracked in fear as she whispered her answer.
"That's unfortunate. Such a waste." Aro sighed in defeat, I wasn't sure what he was thinking, he still had made another decision.
Edward once again lost his temper, I fought the urge to reprimand him in my mind, something in his tone stopped me. "Join or die, is that it?" he hissed vehemently. "I suspected as much when we were brought to this room. So much for your laws."
My previous frustration disappeared. I could see what he was planning, he'd made his decision while speaking, he was using their laws against them. It seemed to work, Aro seemed perplexed at the sudden outburst, no matter how controlled it had come about.
"Of course not. We were already convened here, Edward, awaiting Heidi's return. Not for you."
"Aro," Caius saw right through the words Edward had spoken, but I imagined he would have a difficult time changing Aro's mind once I had executed my plan. "The law claims them."
Edward, still on track turned to Caius, "How so?" He was forcing him to say it aloud, there was no chance he hadn't heard what was running through Caius' mind.
Caius pointed a finger at Bella, "She knows too much. You have exposed our secrets."
"There are a few humans in on your charade here, as well." Edward threw back at him.
"Yes," He agreed. "But when they are no longer useful to us, they will serve to sustain us. That is not your plan for this one. If she betrays our secrets, are you prepared to destroy her? I think not,"
"I wouldn't—" Bella started but was cut off by Caius' Icy stare.
"Nor do you intend to make her one of us." he continued. "Therefore, she is a vulnerability. Though it is true, for this, only her life is forfeit. You may leave if you wish."
Edward bared his teeth. 'Edward, no, please. Let me try something.'
"That's what I thought." Caius concluded, pleasure of his victory evident. Felix edged forward eagerly.
"Unless . . ." Aro started, he seemed genuinely unhappy at the turn of events. But I was going to reassure him. I had already seen it and it would work. "Unless you do intend to give her immortality?"
Edward, pressed his lips together in his frustration, as much as his disliked the thought. It was possibly our only lifeline. "And if I do?"
Aro smiled, once again happy at the turn of events. "Why, then you would be free to go home and give my regards to my friend Carlisle." he hesitated before delivering his bad news. "But I'm afraid you would have to mean it."
Aro held his hand up, he was planning on going through Edward's mind. Although I knew Edward would, at this precise moment in time have trouble agreeing, I knew this was my cue. I watched as Caius relaxed at the gesture.
Edward stared down at Bella, he was making decisions quickly again, he was trying to decide whether he could do it. I knew he would eventually but I was afraid the pressure was too much for him. He could never change her because he felt threatened, and he had always wanted it to be her decision. Them forcing the decision upon him made it more difficult. I was giving him time to do this his way but we were running out of options.
"Mean it," Bella whispered to him. "Please."
Edward was still staring at Bella, his expression pained as he tried to make the decision. He was still flipping backwards and forwards. We were out of time, it was up to me now. I stepped forward towards Aro. His guards immediately prepared for action. I lifted my hand to mirror his. I had all of the visions in my head, every one of them. I knew that they would come about, no matter how hesitant Edward was at this moment.
Aro waved his guard back and let me approach, he walked towards me and we met halfway. He took my hand eagerly. I felt a pulling sensation in my mind as he pulled the thoughts and memories from me. I patiently relived every memory in my head as he searched for the one he was most eager to find. Then there they were, dozens of them, all of Bella changing, each situation slightly different but each outcome the same. The last one came as a surprise to me, Edward had made a decision, he was going to do it, but he had plans to execute before he did.
A/N: Sorry super long Chapter, still not sure how I feel about it.
Thank you to all those of you who reviewed and added me to your alerts. YOU ROCK! :)
8 Weeks until Breaking Dawn :) link to playlist in my profile, I'm up to almost a hundred songs, how crazy is that?
I'm hoping to have Alice back in Jasper's arms by the next Chapter, I think I'm starting to miss him too lol