This story starts off five years after its prelude: 'Life is never what you expect it to be'. Bella is now Caius's mate and they are both very happily bonded. WARNING: This is an adult version of twilight and will have sexual submission and violence (after all it revolves around vampires).
Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer is the creator of these intriguing characters but has nothing to do with this story.
Chapter 29 - Even the most carefully built plans can slowly dissipate when illusions become explainable
Upon their arrival in Seattle they were quick to find the Cullen home in Forks. Smelling the heavy scent of wolf they cautiously entered and looked around. The place was empty; as if it had never been lived in. Turning to the Cullens Marcus asked "Alice, Jasper you have lived here with the Cullens do you have any idea where Edward would go?"
"He must have joined the others".
"No!" said Demetri "I feel his presence in the area". And having said that, he ordered Alice and Jasper to protect Marcus while he swiftly followed his intuition.
After about fifteen minutes he discovered the reason for this insight as he circled an insignificant building in the Seattle area. Peering through a small window Demetri recognised Edward Cullen speaking with a small number of humans. The Cullen boy was discussing something about how 'imperative their departure and the secrecy of their destination was'. While watching them he realized that this had been the reason that he was still in Seattle and that these humans seemed to be very important to him.
Knowing he would have difficulty taking Edward to Marcus he decided to use these humans as leverage. Observing the situation he quickly found a flaw in Edwards defence and used the element of surprise to swiftly overtake a woman in the group.
Sue let out a gasp of fright and Edward instinctively pushed Charlie and Seth behind him grateful that Jake and Sienna had already left. He then shouted "Please; everybody stay calm. We don't want anyone to be hurt".
Then turning his attention to Demetri he uttered "Please Demetri; let her go"
Demetri pressed the woman's body against him and looking around the room he replied "What is going on Edward? I see treason brewing".
At that moment Charlie stepped out from behind Edward; refusing to be pushed aside. His eyes ablaze as he said "Those red eyes; are you somehow related to Aro Black? Has he sent you to deliver his revenge?"
This perplexed Demetri for a second but he quickly disregarded the human and refocussing on the Cullen boy Demetri uncompromisingly said "Edward we must talk"
Refusing to be ignored Charlie continued his reproach "He has already stolen my daughter; has he come to take more of my family?"
Demetri took offence to the attitude of this human and began to find him irritatingly rude. He curtly turned to face Charlie, his expression bordering on exasperation as he asked "Edward, who is this and what is he talking about?"
Before Edward could answer Charlie angrily continued "I am Bell's father".
Demetri's eyebrows rose hearing this unexpected information but realizing that time was of the essence he resolutely repeated "Edward we must talk".
"I will talk; but only if you let these people go" Edward promptly answered.
"You know that it is not an option and you are not entitled to set any conditions; I will however allow the child and the male to go to the other room while we discuss the situation. This one," he said while maintaining his hold on Sue "will be my insurance that they stay put".
"I think it better that I stay" Charlie said then nodding his head towards Sue he said "your dispute is with me not her".
"Ok, then you will all stay" Demetri huffed, realizing that there was no talking to this stubborn human.
Turning towards Edward Demetri declared "Now Edward, it seems that you have some explaining to do"
"I can't explain without exposing these people to what is going on; and I doubt that would be to anyone's advantage" Edward explained.
"I can take you and this small group to Marcus if you prefer" Demetri threatened.
"Haven't you come with Aro?" Edward asked his face a mask of confusion.
"No; I sensed the presence of Caius and at Isabella's insistence I did not tell Aro. I did however tell Marcus and he wishes to know the truth so we have come and have taken your siblings Alice and Jasper with us".
"Is Bella with you?" Edward asked and Charlie looked up in anticipation.
"No, it wasn't a possibility; Aro dictates her every move" Demetri answered.
"You know about that?" Edward said, astonishment reverberating in his words.
"Yes Marcus had spoken to her before we left; that is the reason that we came in the first place".
"How did you get away from Aro; he must have read you mind and seen your suspicions?" Edward cautiously asked.
"No! I wasn't informed of the situation until we were in the plane and on our way here. It seems that Marcus has told Aro he wished to speak to Carlisle about the Egyptian group; Aro dared not challenge him".
Lifting his brow in amazement at this new development Edward said "Very clever!"
Demetri tipped his head at Edwards compliment then on a more serious note he impatiently asked "Now will you come with me? Marcus is waiting in your old home in Forks".
"And what of Isabella's family?" Edward asked
"We know of the blackmail and will allow them their freedom; after all, their knowledge of our group is minimal. Then turning towards Charlie he added "We value our secrecy. If any member of your family decides to divulge our existence; it will mean their deaths. Our group is very powerful and have many connections; as Edward here will confirm".
Edward nodded his head, corroborating Demetri's statement then turned to Charlie and said "you must go now and remember; what my friend says is true and I cannot help you or your family if you disobey the rules they have set".
Charlie glanced at Demetri and then turned to face Edward with an incredulous asking "He is letting us go?"
"Yes" said Demetri
"And Bells?" Charlie hopefully asked.
"You mean Isabella? What about her?" Demetri asked his frustration with this human increasing.
"What is going to happen to her?" Charlie roared.
Demetri abruptly let go of Sue and quickly wrapped his hand around Charlie's throat "That is none of your concern; now go!" and with a sigh of indifference he pushed Charlie away.
As soon as he caught his breath Charlie stood up; his whole frame radiating rebelliousness as he shouted "Like hell it isn't; she's my daughter!"
While he had been speaking to Edward, Demetri hadn't really given Charlie a second glance but now he turned to scrutinize Isabella's father. A moment later a slight smile reached his lips as he recognised the defiant stance. It reminded him of the many times Isabella had fought with Caius when she had first been turned and he automatically realized where Isabella inherited her courage.
Politely bowing he answered "I am sorry Mr. Swan, you are right but you need not worry about our lady. It is for her best will that I and my group members have come to Seattle. We will do our best to help her, of that you can be assured".
Edward quickly added "Please Charlie, you and your family really must leave now"
Charlie, realizing that this was not debateable grumbled his disapproval. Seeing his wife and knowing that more lives than his own were at stake he had no choice but to leave.
Looking at Edward he said "Once my Bells is out of danger I hope to hear from you. All I ever wanted was her happiness"
Edward looked at Demetri and seeing his nod of approval said "Yes, but I can only give you notice of that; you must understand"
With difficulty Charlie wrapped his arms around his wife and step-son and took them away.
After they left Demetri asked "Why does it stink of dog here?"
"Isabella's father remarried and the woman's children are both Shape-shifters; when fazed they become large wolves. That declares the odour you so suitably described". Hearing Charlie's car leave the premises he chuckled as he divulged "You see Bella's father has no idea of the various supernatural beings surrounding him. Actually, I think he purposely closes his eyes to these things".
Soon after Charlie's departure Edward and Demetri left for Forks; both engrossed with the things they had discovered.
Arriving at their old home and recognizing his siblings Edward immediately ran to meet them. Both Alice and Jasper were not as enthusiastic and felling their hesitance Edward enquired "What's wrong?"
He hadn't spotted Marcus but quickly identified his voice when he answered the question "It seems their memory has been tampered with".
"What do you mean?" all three said simultaneously, surprised by his remark.
"What I mean, Mr Cullen is that neither of them remembers their bond with the Olympic coven" Marcus explained.
At that moment Edward realized that it all fit. They were not being blackmailed as the family had thought, otherwise they would have found a way to communicate. It would seem that they had avoided communication.
It was then that he remembered Carlisle's words and the puzzle became more and more obvious. The same thing had happened to Caius; his last memories were of 1100 BC.
Demetri saw Edwards perplexed expression turn into one of awareness and asked "What is it?"
Edward tried to avoid answering but this only caught more attention as Marcus asked "I see in your eyes that you are thinking of something very important. If this has anything to do with the situation at hand I would appreciate it if you would inform us Mr. Cullen, after all we do not have your advantage of reading minds".
After a moment Edward slowly explained "We have found Caius but, he seems to be suffering from the same affliction as my sister and brother… He has no recollection of his past".
Contemplating what Edward had said the expressions of both Volturi slowly grew from pensive to concerned. After a moment Marcus stated "I wish to see Caius"
"He is with Carlisle I will not call unless I am sure of your intentions" Edward explained.
It was then that Marcus began explaining his suspicions towards Aro's development of power and being convinced of his sincerity Edward called Carlisle to ask his advice. The call was over within the allotted five minutes and after a half hour Carlisle called back giving them their location.
The group left the Volturi airplane behind and used the small private plane that Edward had ordered for his escape.
