Hunters Moon
A/N: This is the first chapter of Hunter's Moon. I decided to put all four books into one story. It just makes it easier that way for posting purposes. I hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 25 – The Punishment
Left in the meadow mourning their loss, Esme prayed that Kayce would be alright. Edward heard the new arrivals' internal voices, but he didn't move a muscle. He was utterly heart broken. Nothing mattered any longer.
Edward fell to his knees in the wispy grass with a look of despair on his face; his hand reaching out to where his beloved had been standing moments before. His face twisted into a mask of sheer pain. Two black shadows were deftly moving through the blackened thicket of trees. The Volturi guards, Demetri and Jane, emerged. Their eyes glowed like burgundy wine, dark and treacherous. They were wearing black hooded robes, so their movements looked like they were floating through the air like wraiths straight for Edward and the others.
"Jane, Demetri. How may I help you?" Carlisle asked kindly, extending his hand to shake theirs. Demetri shook his hand firmly, but Jane never extended her's. She kept looking at them with disdain.
"Where is the human?" Jane asked in a business-like fashion. Her eyes roved over the family expecting an answer.
"There is no human here," Jasper supplied, looking around him.
"We were told you are housing a human. We can smell her on you," Jane said staring straight at Edward, scrutinizing his posture with a shrewd eye. Carlisle stepped to the side inconspicuously, momentarily blocking Edward from Jane's view, causing her to regard him with narrowed eyes.
"We come here to get away from humans. We live among humans, but why in the world would we want to live with them? We are not in the market for a pet, I assure you. Who told you such a wild rumor?" Carlisle said assuredly.
"That is of little consequence. What matters is the truth or falsehood behind the report," Demetri said sternly with a flourish of his hand. "Now answer the question."
Smiling disarmingly, he spread his hands wide, looking about the valley. "We came out here in order to get away from humans, my friends. Had we done what you accused us of, you would have found your evidence here. You can not hide a human, certainly not from a Volturi as gifted as you, Demetri. Surely, you've used your abilities to search the area already. If I remember correctly, you get into the person's mind in order to find them, yes? Can you sense the human of which you speak?"
"I can tell you that a human has been here recently and that same smell is all over you. However, you are correct that there is no human anywhere near our location. If there was, I would have found her by now," Demetri said peering into the woods. Jane glanced at Demetri in annoyance.
"Perhaps, there is no human here now, but there was and you are hiding her somehow." The family said nothing. Jane smiled wickedly, stepping around Carlisle and walking closer to Edward. "Answer me one thing, if you can, without lying this time. What's wrong with him?" Edward tensed slightly as she drew near and began walking circles about him.
"You've happened upon us fresh from a family squabble. You understand how it is, living with others for an extended amount of time. It tends to make vampires a bit fastidious now and then," Esme quickly came to Edwards rescue.
Jane however was not buying any of it. "Lies, again! There was a human here, somehow you have hidden her and this one suffers from her absence." She crouched down in front of Edward, gazing at him as though she were a hawk about to swoop down upon its prey. "This deception will not last. You will tell me where she is and the sooner you tell us, the sooner we can dispose of her and get on with more important matters."
"I don't know what you are talking about," Edward finally said, as he stood up, his voice devoid of emotion, yet ice cold. "We are around humans all the time, we try to blend in. Of course we smell like humans. There is no human here and unless your omnipotent powers are not as wonderful as they are said to be, you would know that by now," he said defiantly, looking down on her petite form.
Jane didn't like that answer one bit. Staying where she crouched, her eye gave a vague twitch, her unseen powers sending Edward to the ground in unyielding pain. "I will show you power, foolish boy," she whispered with bitter delight as Edward started to shriek and writhe under the pain.
"Jane, we are under orders not to hurt them," Demetri huffed out. They stared each other down, but after a few moments of an unspoken debate, Jane stood, dusting her hands off as though dirty. Edward finally stopped writhing, gasping for breath when she released him from her power's grip. She looked a little dejected, having her fun put to an end so quickly.
Then she glanced back at Edward. "Don't worry; play time isn't over just yet, simply postponed. We'll have more fun soon enough. And when I am done, you will be begging me to kill the pathetic human." With that, she walked back to Demetri's side.
"Aro requests your presence. A plane is waiting for us to board. We shall go now," Demetri said. The Cullens followed wordlessly through the forest, as if they were all going together on a planned moonlit hike. Eventually, they made their way down to a road that had waiting cars with a minion behind the wheel. Demetri and Jane both got into the two separate SUVs with the Cullen's splitting up and getting in either one.
They drove to a miniscule airfield in utter silence. Esme sat between Edward and Carlisle and she held both of their hands. She held Carlisle's for strength and support and Edward's to offer a mother's love and tenderness to her grieving child. They looked calm and collected, yet their eyes held an inner fear. A private leer jet was waiting for them. The group of vampires all used their exceptional speed to exit the SUVs and board the plane in the veil of darkness. If any humans were about, they would have seen absolutely nothing.
The entire family all sat together, all not speaking, all uncomfortable. Jane and Demetri both faced them. Demetri wore a mask of serious intensity, whereas Jane just kept smirking at them. They all had become still as a marble statue, nonmoving and giving icy stares throughout the cabin; one would think the plane would go down due to the layer of frost.
When they landed in Italy, they were driven into the heart of Volterra and escorted through the stone tunnels. As they entered the throne room, Aro, Marcus and Caius were all seated; looking amused and then delighted to see Carlisle. "Ahh...Carlisle, my old friend. I do wish we would have been meeting under better circumstances. You never call, you never write, I haven't seen your face since you left us all that time ago," Caius said.
"I apologize. I have been busy with my family," Carlisle responded cordially, but his eyes were tight with concern. Aro merely nodded with an understanding smile on his face. Where is the human child?"
Jane approached Aro. She bent down and he touched her face in a slight caress across her cheekbone. His eyes flashed and he abruptly stood and approached Carlisle, holding his hand out to him.
"We don't have the human child, as we have told Demetri, old friend," Carlisle answered. Aro clasped his hand and Aro saw everything that ever was and is.
"Ah. Kayce, is it? She is rather exquisite. For a human, that is." Edward growled quietly. "Where exactly did your human, Kayce, go and what kind of power does she have, exactly?" Aro asked like an inquisitive child. He had taken everyone's hand and each time, he just grinned even more widely. He moved to Edward and just smiled at him before he extended his hand to him.
"Edward, you have such restraint...there is something about you my boy...just under the surface. I just can't quite grasp what it is." Aro gripped his hand a little more firmly. All of the guards watched with bated breath, hoping for dismemberment and a good bon fire. His face slightly vexed, let go of Edward's hand and slinked over to Alice. He grasped her hand as if he was going to kiss the top of it, but he just held it and closed his eyes. His eyes popped open and he cocked his head to one side, raising a single brow, gazing into Edward's black eyes and then back at Alice, "Well now, that is quite interesting, isn't it?" His face was aglow with his solved enigma, but his eyes held an inquisitive hunger.
"Please Carlisle, I would like to see you and young Edward and Alice in my private chamber," Aro said genially. He glided away, expecting them to follow. When he noticed that Jasper had started to follow behind them, he stopped and repeated, "Only Carlisle, Edward and Alice. The rest of you can wait her with the others. I am sure you will be quite comfortable," Aro commanded and that was the end of the matter.
They all entered a circular chamber made entirely of stone, each vampire quiet as a church mouse. Aro, slowly for him, made his way regally to an office desk. He took a seat behind it and faced his guests, steepling his hands, smiling devilishly. The anxiety in the chamber was so high; it was as if a veil had been draped over each of the Cullens.
Carlisle placed a hand on each of his children's shoulders to offer his strength. Aro was very collected; he seemed unaware of the anxiety that riddled the room. Demetri had entered the room; probably make sure his liege was alright.
Aro signaled to Demetri and he approached him without looking at the others or uttering a single word. He nodded and left the room. He soon returned with a human female in tow. Alice took the human's appearance as she entered. She was a mousy appearing woman wearing white linen slacks and a pretty pink blouse. Most human males would find her attractive, but she saw nothing spectacular.
"Edward, I would like to see you demonstrate your incubus ability," Aro said like an adult who doesn't know how to speak to small children; it was over the top and too friendly.
Edward was outraged. He would never betray Kayce like that. "No. I won't do it," Edward answered. The female had begun to disrobe and sit down seductively on a large comfy Italian leather chair. Aro looked amused that this woman would get naked and have sex with a complete stranger, a vampire stranger at that. Aro leaned forward as if he were trying to better see the show.
Demetri had circled around, approaching Edward from behind and pushed him toward the woman. He growled menacingly and jumped backward over Demetri's head landing behind him, crouching, waiting for a physical altercation. While Demetri laughed wickedly, the human never reacted to what she witnessed. She had a look on her face like Edward was a delicious snack. She was working for them, waiting for the opportunity to be turned.
"I demand that you use your incubus ability," Aro barked out, it was so abrupt and echoed in the room with finality. He was standing, as he pounded his fist on the desk, which collapsed.
"Absolutely not! I will not whore myself out for your sick, twisted pleasure or experimentation," Edward said adamantly. The human woman looked upset, not because of the raised agitated voices, but that he would reject her.
"Aro, please, let's discuss this, you and I. Surely, we can come up with a meeting of the minds," Carlisle said calmly.
"Out of friendship for Carlisle, I was attempting niceties. I had hoped it wouldn't come to this; however, with your stubborn arrogance, you leave me no choice. We will convene back inside the main hall and discuss matters of judgment."
They all walked back to the main hall. Carlisle, Alice and Edward joined their family members. Aro approached Marcus and Caius. They deliberated amongst themselves. They never spoke words, but Edward heard everything. He remained silent through it all.
"Edward, we are giving you one more chance to show us your incubus ability," Caius said, looking intrigued.
Edward turned to gaze at Alice, then stepped forward, his face free of any emotion. When he spoke it was firmly, "The three of you..." he turned and looked at the guards, "All of you...can go to hell."
Aro flew over to Edward and stared in his eyes. "Edward you are showing extremely bad manners in your gracious host's home." He slapped his face in order to insult him. "The punishment for harboring a human shall be imprisonment for young Edward and Alice shall stay as our guest for...well I am feeling generous...a decade, though we may give you an early release for good behavior."
"No, I won't allow you to take my family members," Carlisle barked out. He stepped forward in an attempt to block his family from harm or mal intent.
"Ahh...Carlisle, I count you among one of my dearest friends. However, the rules of Volterra must stand. If you refuse our generous terms, I will have no recourse but to change our punishment to death for the entire family. Surely, you must see the wisest choice here." He nodded to his guard and they circled the entire family like vultures.
"We'll do it." Alice said. She turned around to look at her family and then up into Jasper's eyes. "It won't be for long, I promise. Everything will turn out they way it is supposed to." Aro held out his hand and took Alice's so she could stand at his side, he grinned widely, as if he obtained more information from a vision of Alice's. Jane approached them and held out a robe, just like that of the others in the guard. Alice donned it while Aro muttered, "Fascinating...there is another. As for the girl, we have no recourse, but to search her out and find her."
"No," Edward growled out.
"I'm afraid so, my dear boy. Aside from her being a liability, she is simply too much of an asset to lose. Isn't that intriguing, she could be a most valuable asset and your greatest liability. It will be delightful to see how this plays out. In the meantime, we will search out someone fit to hunt her down and bring her back to us. You two will stay here in Volterra and the rest of you may return home, under close supervision, that is. You may say goodbye to your loved ones and then Alice you will be shown to your quarters. Edward you will be placed in a holding cell and it will be you who will be incarcerated in the pits of hell."
Edward was able to say goodbye to Esme, he hugged her fiercely. "I love you Mom. Take care of the others for me. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine." Demetri, Felix and Alec approached and grabbed Edward pulling him away from the family forcefully. Alice, knowing she was unable to help Edward, was able to stay with the family and say a proper goodbye. She was heartbroken to leave Jasper, but she knew she would see him again.
"Don't worry, I will call you in a few days," She said encouragingly.
Demetri had taken Edward down to the holding cells. He was placed in a small 10 x 20 stone cell. The ground was covered in filth and straw. You could hear water dripping down the stones, landing on the stone floor...plop...plop...plop. Edward was unsure if there was a natural water source somewhere in the dungeon or if Aro had that installed as a form of torture. On the back wall of the cell, iron shackles hung, fit for a mythical giant. Demetri had placed each of Edward's wrists in the shackles and then his ankles.
There were three very large guards standing watch and Edward was sure that they have the ability to drain your energy, though he had fed the night before, he was suddenly ravenous. "It's not like I am going anywhere, Slim," Edward called out, smirking at the large bulky vampire.
"Quiet," the large vamp in the cell ordered. He approached Edward and punched him in the face. The other two were outside the locked cell on either side of the door. "You do know that we will find your pet human," the one at the door said with a chuckle. "I for one can't wait to see how she tastes," he laughed out.
Ignoring his comment, Edward said, "Is that all you've got. My human grandmother could hit harder than that, Slim."
For hours Edward kept reading their minds and giving as much as he got. He was a master at insults, which, in turn, made the guard angry enough to strike him over and over again. "So...shorty..." Edward called out. The guard was by no means short, but he was slightly shorter than Edward's 6'2" frame. The guard growled while furrowing his brow with intense hatred. "Heidi turned you down did she? That's rough. Though, her calling you short, bald and ugly was not too far off base, you really are. Perhaps she meant it as a compliment. There is little else to compliment you on." The guard stepped closer to Edward and raised his hand, but the other guards entered the cell, which suddenly became cramped and grabbed his peer's fist. "Of course, if you decide to give up on Heidi, your friend over there would be more then willing to take you up on that offer you made to her. He finds your baldness attractive, your height rather 'convenient' and your face unforgettable. You'd make a disgusting couple, perhaps you two could find happiness," Edward said. He then broke into fits of laughter. His guard turned and looked at the other with contempt, while Edward reacted like he was watching an amusing television program.
"Hey Slim, are you aware that Aro, Marcus and Caius think very little of you...that you are merely suitable for this job. I can't wait for the day that they will rip your head off and burn you in a pyre. Do you think they will supply popcorn for the humans when they watch? Ahh...good times," Edward said smugly.
After a few days, Alice had escorted the guard's replacements. She wanted to see Edward face-to-face before she called Jasper. She wanted to give them an update on Edward's wellbeing. "I don't want to see you Alice. Go away," he called out before anyone had started to approach the wing with the cells.
"Edward, you know why I encouraged Kayce to leave. You are hurting so badly right now that you can't see the forest through the trees." She stood outside the door and just looked at him. Edward fell to his knees and just stayed extremely quiet.
"If I would have known he would shut his mouth when the female entered the dungeon I would have had her in here a long time ago," the large vamp said sarcastically.
"Edward, I am calling the family today. I want to tell them that you are alright," Alice said. His appearance was shocking for being there a few days. His clothes were torn to tatters, probably from the beatings that he endures and he had a smudge of dirt streaked across his jaw line on the left side. His hair wasn't flattering in that mussed hot guy way, it was lying flat, very dirty and hanging in his eyes. He had venom stained on his dark T-shirt. His face appeared as if he were crying. He had venom leaking out of his eyes. Upon closer examination, it had been secreting from his ears and his mouth, as well.
Carlisle, Esme, Emmett, Rosalie and Jasper had all been trying to find a way to get Edward and Alice back since they had left Italy. They were sentenced to serving time in Forks. They are treating Alice fairly well. She is able to continue her special diet, whereas Edward won't cooperate with their demands, so he has been imprisoned and being starved nearly to death. From what Alice tells them, he is very weak and hallucinates quite often. Needless to say, the Volturi are very intrigued by the fact that Kayce is nowhere to be found and they are doing their best to find another person with her capabilities.
They get to speak with Alice by phone, but know that they are being monitored. The rest of the family was all at the house anxiously awaiting the first of their biweekly phone calls from Alice. Jasper and Esme are especially mourning the loss of their loved ones. They mope around and barely engage in life anymore. Alice dialed her cell phone and turned around to wave at Jane. "Jasper Baby, I miss you." She had spoken with him for a good while and then she spoke with Esme and Carlisle. "Carlisle, I'm fine. Edward, on the other hand is starving. I'm worried. He has venom leaking from his orifices."
"Alice, everything is alright. From my own experience, that is what I expected to happen. I am trying to find a way to get you two out of there. I will be speaking with Aro soon," Carlisle said wearily. They exchanged a few more words and then she hung up. Jane had taken her leave, satisfied that Alice hadn't said anything of vital importance.
Alice really wanted to tell them more so she sent Carlisle a letter. If anyone, vampire or human alike would read it, it would appear as if it were trivial gibberish. He understood. If he took the first and last letters in each word and put them together it would translate out into the real text. "I am attempting to sneak in some sort of sustenance to Edward. So far, it is futile. Also, it is rumored they have turned another human, their powers now reputed to match or even to have surpassed 'hers'. All they are waiting for is that period of newborn blood lust to end before he attempts to retrieve her. I have no reason to believe these rumors are false. I fear 'her' place of existence will not remain secret for much longer."
After a few weeks, Aro had entered the dungeon, wearing his finest, and approached Edward's cell. The guard stood up readily and bowed to him in deference. Edward's head was resting on his chest. It appeared that he had been asleep, but he is incapable of that. He bobbed his head up wearily and looked at his visitor. "Ah...Aro, what a pleasant surprise, welcome to my humble abode. I'd ask you to make yourself at home, but I would feel guilty asking the rats to move. Surely you understand my predicament," he said in a mere whisper. Though he was weak, he still had a gleam in his eye.
Aro smiled, as if he weren't insulted at all. He appeared to be conversing with an old friend instead of a prisoner. "Ah...Edward, I have come to see if you have reconsidered my proposition." He had his hands clasped together as he patiently waited for a reply.
Edward chuckled lightly, "I was hoping that you would come to visit, I had a hankering to tell you that my answer is a definite, HELL NO."
"My dear boy...you have the greatest case of teenage rebellion I have ever seen, especially for a century old vampire. Perhaps that is the curse of being turned at such an age...perpetual angst and rebellion." Aro responded acidly. "Very well, you leave me no choice but to make your imprisonment even more unpleasant." He stood and the guard simply walked away. Before Aro walked away, he made a hand gesture and then silently left the dungeon.
A lanky guard with long inky black hair approached the cell. He had a devilish smile plastered on his face when he looked in Edward's eyes. His hands gripped the bars on the cell door, making his knuckles appear even whiter. "Ah...I have been waiting for my turn to be your guard. We are going to have so much fun together."
"Sorry Pal, I don't swing that way. But the day guard, he would surely appreciate you feminine wiles," Edward responded sardonically.
The vampire's eyes glittered madly. He enjoyed Edward's behavior. He hates it when he tortures people who only fear him and his ability. He appreciated having a challenge, what little there was. His particular gift is taking his victim's worst fear and implanting that in their minds, like a dream state, the victim chooses who, where and when this fear takes place. He grinned evilly and laughed. He never has any fun when his victims are deathly afraid. He pulled out a ring of keys and unlocked the cell door with a loud click. He loped his way inside, pulling a chair with him and sitting down on it. He silently reached his hand out and he stroked his fingers across Edward's left arm and then up his neck and face. The touch was cold, even for Edward and it was sinister. Evil radiated out of every pore. The vampire removed his hand slowly and he then stood up, scooting the chair back through the straw and filth. He grinned lopsidedly and exited back out, locking the door behind him.
That was when the screaming began. Images of Kayce being stalked by a vampire as she walked through her quiet neighborhood rocked through Edward. She was unaware of the danger that lurked just beyond her peripheral vision. She had a smile on her beautiful face and she seemed light and carefree. He crouched down with a snarl and the vampire leaps high in the air, landing on top of her. She went down on the sidewalk, her head making a cracking sound when it hit the cement. Kayce's screams were unanswered. She was begging for her life while her neighbors stood and watched, unmoved.
Even when he closed his eyes, the images were still there. He couldn't escape the visions or help her. He was so weak he couldn't read the vampire's mind properly, so he was unsure if this was a reality or a trick of the mind.
Edward saw her blood being spilled, as a river of scarlet stained the walk. His body inadvertently started to tremble with the sight of her. He had run to her, gazing at her prone form. He saw her face pale and her lips turn bright blue.
Edward stopped being cocky and his shrinking frame folded in on itself. For days, he endured this particular vision. When the lanky vampire realized that he wasn't having the same effect that he had before, he decided to take another tack.
The vampire reentered the cell, similar to the last time; he sat down on the wooden chair. He grabbed Edward's chin and gazed into his eyes. The lurking feeling of ice seeped through him, in what Edward had come to realize was the vampire's use of power on him. The vampire released Edward, but this time he stayed put, just watching. He wanted a closer look at his downward spiral.
Edward started to see visions of Kayce excitedly dressing up for a date. Edward sighed in relief. She was so gorgeous. She pulled on a black sequined dress. She smoothed it out as she admired her reflection in the mirror. She slipped into her heels and teetered a bit. He reached out to steady her, but his arm went right through her. She never took notice at who was in her bedroom.
She fluffed her hair a bit and picked up her purse, pulling out a lip gloss. She put on the bright red gloss that smelled like a mixture of coconut and mint. She puckered her lips a time or two before turning about facing Edward. A wide smile lit her face as she ran toward him with outstretched arms. Edward opened his arms, overjoyed that she finally noticed him. She reached his arms and then went right through him. His arms closing around air, he turned quickly to see her embracing another man. The man's face rose from being buried in Kayce's dark locks and Edward growled out at the face he saw. It was the torturous vampire guard, only it was obvious in this vision that he was human. His voice was oily as ever as he murmured suggestively in her ear. "Mmm...Sexy, you look so good that I am tempted to stay in tonight."
"What about our plans?" Kayce asked as she leaned back to gaze lovingly into his eyes.
"You're flexible...I know you are" he said with a knowing grin. "We can make new ones, kitten." He picked her up and carried her to the bed and threw her down. "I missed you," he purred out seductively.
Kayce squealed with delight and said, "I was just with you at lunch!"
"I know kitten, I am going through withdrawals here." The guy started to pull his tie loose and stepped out of his shoes. He slid onto the bed and his hand reached down and gripped Kayce's thigh, he slid his hand higher up the slit until her stockings were exposed. "Hun, why do you insist on wearing stockings when you know I am going to tear them apart? That's just a waste of money."
Kayce laughed giddily and replied, "But that is part of the fun." Edward growled a low menacing sound and rushed for the couple, who were undressing.
He panicked when he realized he could hurt her, but he just stormed right through the bed with is occupants still intact. He became desperate and called out her name in hopes that she would hear him and come to her senses. She never responded to his pleas for her to see him, to feel his presence.
Kayce was now lying in pink lingerie and Edward wanted to vomit, instantly finding that he hated the color pink. He couldn't watch any longer. He ran for the door, throwing it open, running out of the room, but when he looked around at his surroundings he was back in the bedroom again. He had tried to escape a few times, but always came to the same spot. He was trapped in a nightmare.
"Come here slut, gimme sum!" Kayce giggled as if him calling her that was funny. "Talk dirty to me; I like it when you talk dirty," he said.
"I hate this. He doesn't even do it right. What a sleaze." Edward spat out venomously.
Kayce whispered in his ear and laughed again when he flipped her over so she was sitting atop him. Edward looked away, but thought he heard her call him a rock star as she combed her fingers through his long locks.
"More like Renaissance reject or try a three century old child porno fanatic!" Edward barked out.
Between heavy breathing, he said, "I bet that Edward guy never did any of the things I do?"
"Edward...yeah, he was too worried about my virtue and much too reserved for my taste. I like the way you handle yourself so much better than that pansy." Edward gulped heavily. In his heart he knew this must be unreal, yet her words still stung at the very core of his being.
After more noise than Edward could handle, he saw him smoking a cigarette and telling her in an authoritative voice, "Maybe next time I should invite my other girlfriend over and we could have even more fun."
"Umm, I don't know," she sounded unsure of that prospect.
"Come on, where's your sense of adventure, don't you wanna be sexy for me?"
"Well...yeah I guess so," Kayce said, warming to the idea.
"Good, well I've gotta run. I'm meeting the guys at the bar. Don't wait up; maybe I'll be back in a few days. Why don't you take a look at that book I left for you last time, you could learn a thing or two, make our time together more interesting then it has been." Slapping her butt hard enough to elicit a gasp from her, a red welt rising in the shape of his hand, he stood and dressed again. Walking out the door, he left her without a second glance. Edward really lost control when she started to cry and questioned how her partner feels about her, as well as her personal worth.
Edward screamed out in his cell. The vampire had moved outside it and was locking the cell door again. He laughed riotously. Edward was holding his fists up to his eyes. Venom was pouring out. Venom hasn't been secreting in months yet, it was pooling into his hands.
Edward had no idea when he stopped screaming. He sat catatonic in his cell after that. He didn't need that vampire in order to keep visions of Kayce running through his mind all the time. He was missing her so badly. If he could sleep at all, he would. He was emotionally exhausted. He has spent months without his mate, being angry with Alice and seeing horrific images. He wasn't sure if he could take much more.
He suddenly heard a dripping noise, one that was different than the ones that were in the cell since the beginning of his incarceration. It was a quick sound pattering onto multiple places on the stone floor. He smelled something familiar as it permeated his nose. The smell was sweet and made him take notice. Edward opened his eyes to see the back of a human female covered in sudsy water. Her dark hair cascaded in a watery ribbon down her back. Her heartbeat was accelerated in a fearful rhythm. It seemed to him that she had no idea where she was and that frightened her.
His mind had begun to play tricks on him, reminding him of that night he and Kayce spent together in the hot springs. He bowed his head down and ignored the petite woman. This surely most be Aro's doing. His guard never left his chair and he made no sudden movements. This visit must have been planned, another attempt at bringing out his incubus. If Aro thought that bringing a human female into his cell was a good idea, he was mistaken. He was starving and before he could ever feel any type of romantic feelings, especially toward a stranger, he would have drained her first.
He could hear her feet making tiny steps as she turned in a half-circle to face him, taking in her surroundings. When her heartbeat was on the verge of becoming fatally erratic, he picked up his head to look at her, show her he wasn't interested. Maybe she would go away. His eyes bugged out and then locked on hers. He was motionless as he took her in, completely in.
"Kayce, Love, it's a dream come true, how is this possible?" he whispered out. His chained hand reached out for her, but found only stagnant air. She looked a little thin, but she was healthy and beautiful. Her plump rose lips mouthed out his name, not making a sound, as she stared at him. She looked as shocked as he felt seeing her standing before him. She suddenly extended her hand and took a step toward him, but Edward cringed and pulled away. "Please, I beg of you, if you value your life, stay back. I'm not well or in control," he finished quietly, ashamed that he was unable to embrace her and profess his love for her.
Slim had decided to speak up, "Shut up, Cullen! I tire of your hallucinatory drabble!" Kayce jumped at his voice, crouching slightly as though ready to run, but the vampire guard never got up or looked in the cell. He was too busy reading and never saw Kayce naked and dripping wet. Edward knew he would never forget this sight and though he knew it scandalous of him, he could not help his wandering eyes. How he had missed her.
Noticing his lingering gaze, Kayce seemed to realize her predicament. She looked down at her nakedness and dropped her loofah in surprise. It bounced on the stone floor between her and Edward. Her skin was erupting with gooseflesh from the cold and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, still the guard never took notice. They locked eyes for what seemed like an eternity. Edward had begun to reach for the loofah with his leg. He strained against the chain, as he was reaching for it, the shackles turned into iron garrotes.
He suddenly got a hold of it with his shoe and dragged it to him. He picked it up and crushed it in the palm of his hand, holding it close to his chest. He didn't want anyone to see it or take it away. Kayce suddenly placed a shaky hand to her forehead, wobbling slightly and Edward knew she was about to leave him again. He mouthed "I love you" to her and then she was gone. He pulled the loofah up to his nose and breathed in her scent. When he heard footsteps approaching, he shoved it into his pocket, furtively protecting his one link to his lost love.
Slim had looked up to the visitor and then went back to his reading. Alice was standing at the cell door, looking at Edward with large doe eyes. "Did you see her, too?" she asked mentally. Edward only nodded to her and turned his face away. "I'm calling Jasper again. I just wanted to know if you had a message to give him and to see how you are doing," she said aloud. He never answered, so she walked away sadly to make her phone call and leave him with his memory of Kayce.
After even more time had passed by, Aro entered the dungeon and glided over to see his prisoner. "Edward, I have splendid news! You are going to be reunited with your human love very soon!"
Edward's body shook with his laughter, making his chains rattle, "You'll never find her."
"On the contrary my dear boy, we already have or very nearly found her," Aro answered confidently. Edward's mouth dropped open in shock and disbelief. He was thinking that surely this must be a ploy to hurt him or to make him accept Aro's offer. "Allow me to introduce our newest additions to the guard," Aro crooned out.
Two men entered the dungeon and stood outside the cell door, peering in at Edward with a smug smile plastered on their faces. It took him a moment to recognize the two men. Edward jerked and writhed against his chains, reaching out to get his hands on them, to kill them. "Are you insane? These hoodlums are psychopathic! What were you thinking turning thugs like them?"
"Nonsense! They are much improved compared to their human state. Despite their unruly pasts, Draven was just too good to pass up and his friend was part of the package deal. This young vampire has abilities strikingly close to your Kayce's abilities. He and his associate will be seeking her out. It won't be long before we have found her and brought her back to Volterra."
Edward started to struggle harder against his bonds. "No! You can NOT send them after her. They can't be far past their change, they will drain her the moment they see her! You can't turn them loose."
"Edward, you really have a flare for the dramatic. Besides, these two have passed their one year mark already! I am afraid that in your starved condition you have lost track of time down here. Besides, they shall not be going unfettered. Demetri shall accompany them." He made a sweeping gesture with his arm and Demetri approached. His face held certain disgust for Edward's living arrangements.
"Are you mad? One lap dog against two yearlings? You can't do this!" Edward shouted with more passion than Aro has seen in months.
Aro tsks, "Edward, I had hoped better from you then this petulant behavior. I would have hoped you would be happy! We will be reuniting you with your love soon." Aro shook his head like a disappointed parent scolding their naughty child. Demetri and one of the two newborns walked away from the cell when Aro flourished his arm, motioning them to make their departure. Draven lingered behind and opened Edward's cell. He quickly approached Edward, grabbing his hair and jerking his head back. "Don't worry Eddie; I'll take good care of your pet. She and I have unfinished business. She'll return in...Mostly good condition," he then smirked, kicking Edward in the gut before he left the cell and Edward behind.