Chapter Thirty Six

Edward

Carlisle sounded really worried when he rang to tell me that I was in terrible danger and gave me some instructions to follow.

"But why? What's going on Carlisle? I have plans, to bring Cai to meet you then go with her to Volterra. I know it's not what you wanted for me but it's where I belong, at her side."

"Edward, just do as I say, Cai will explain everything but you are in grave danger son. I'm sorry I can't do any more to help you. Good luck."

"I'll speak to you again Carlisle, don't worry. Cai is Volturi and I'm sure whatever the problem is we can sort it out soon."

Cai had already told me she was on her way back to Vienna and I couldn't wait to have her in my arms again. Whatever the problem was I knew we could overcome it. I'd already bought her an engagement ring and as soon as she landed I was determined to ask her to marry me.

I drove out to the airport in great excitement but confused and worried too but as I saw her walk towards me I couldn't help myself running over to take her bag and kiss her in welcome. As I did so I read her thoughts and stiffened but she put an arm around my waist.

"Let's talk when we get in the car Edward."

I nodded more worried now and as soon as we got in the car I turned to her,

"Do you know what danger we are in? Why do we have to leave Cai? Carlisle sounded very troubled, and why London?"

"Because it's as far as I can go without alerting the Volturi that something is wrong. Edward you need to hear the truth, I was sent initially to ensnare you for the guard but I fell in love with you as soon as I saw you and I have to keep you safe, that's why I rang Carlisle."

"Why didn't I hear your thoughts then? Can you shield them Cai? Who are you? Are you in the guard? Does Carlisle know about all this?"

"No, I'm not in the guard although I know that's what I told you. I've had centuries to find ways to keep my thoughts to myself. Edward its time you heard my story and I hope at the end of it all you can forgive me. I love you and I am trying to keep you safe my love."

She stretched out her hand and stroked my cheek as I parked up at a rest stop and switched the engine off then turned to her,

"Go on then Cai, I'm listening, but nothing you say will change the way I feel about you."

She smiled a little sadly then patted my hand before she started,

"I was born in Greece in 1340 BC to a very poor family and my father was murdered when I was only four. My mother remarried to save us from starvation but my step father hated me, he said I was strange and arranged for me to be brought up in a temple with the priestesses of Hestia the goddess of the hearth. Because I rarely spoke and never interested myself in the world he thought I was touched by her. I was happy there for some years until a man started to visit the temple, he spent a lot of time worshipping but I was afraid of him. He gave expensive offerings and asked to meet the strange young girl who lived in the temple. How he heard of me I have no idea but the priestess was greedy and so I met the man who became my husband. He was charismatic, handsome and brave and yet I was afraid of him because I knew that he really had been touched by the Gods, by Hades in fact. He talked of many things, he was fascinating but I knew he had a dark purpose here and so I held my peace.

He offered the priestess a large sum in gold if he could take me for his wife and so I was sold to him. He had never touched me until the night I was given to him in marriage by the priestess. I was so frightened and I hid behind the only protection I ever had. No one knew of it and it was what had made me appear strange to outsiders. In my brain I had a secret chamber and when scared I would retreat there, my body acting without conscious thought. My husband thought I was an empty vessel that he could fill as he liked and I let him. I discovered I had been right about him, he was one of Hades puppets, a vampire and he turned me into one to be his companion for eternity. I have spent the centuries living a lie with a man I hated and feared. I was sent to do his bidding on occasion but most of my life was spent a virtual prisoner in Volterra. I have seen the evil my husband is capable of and I thought I would spend the rest of eternity trapped there. Then he sent me to ensnare you and as soon as I laid eyes on you I knew you were the one, my real mate. I couldn't tell you the truth until I found a way to keep you safe from my husbands wrath. I enlisted Carlisle's help and he found a way."

"So you do know Carlisle? And he knows who you really are?"

"Yes Edward and now I must tell you and beg your forgiveness for keeping my identity from you. My real name is Sulpicia, I am Aro Volturi's wife."

Edward

I couldn't believe what I was hearing, this beautiful creature was Aros wife? Not only that but she was willing to leave him, run away despite the danger such an action would bring in order to be with me. She waited and I could hear her thoughts now, she wasn't hiding in her secret space but allowing me to read her. When I didn't speak she bowed her head,

"You don't have to say anything Edward, I understand. I will go back to Volterra and you can go on your way. Aro will never find out what passed between us from me, you will be safe."

I lifted her chin and smiled at her,

"It makes no difference who you are, only that you are my mate and I will do all I can to keep us safe. I love you Cai. Should I use you're real name?"

"No, it wasn't my real name in any case, Aro chose it for me. My real name is Callisto."

"It's a beautiful name and if memory serves me it means most beautiful, which you are. So we are travelling to London?"

"Yes at first. Then we will fly on to Brazil."

"Why Brazil?"

"That's where we will find help to hide from the Volturi."

"I didn't think it was possible to hide from them."

"Carlisle has found a way, we just have to trust him."

It didn't take long to pack and we returned to the airport. I knew once we left Vienna for London our movements would be watched more closely, so how would we fly to Brazil without having a Volturi reception committee waiting for us in Rio? I had to put my faith and trust in Carlisle and Cai or stop in London and then go home, back to Vienna, but that would leave Cai in danger because she would have failed in her mission. I thought about it long and hard as we flew out of Vienna but there was no turning back. I was in love with Cai and I wouldn't let her go back to Aro whatever the cost, she was mine and I hers. She sat quietly beside me holding my hand and I could hear her thoughts, at first she was terrified but it slowly faded to be replaced by a quiet serenity and I couldn't help but question this.

"Edward, I have finally taken the decision to be free of Aro. If we are killed as a result then for me it will have been worth it. I finally found true love. If you die it will be the only thing that hurts me, my own life is of no value without you."

"We will survive Cai, somehow we will. I promise you I will never let Aro near you again."

"You would give up everything for me Edward? Even if it means living in the rain forest?"

"I never thought I would ever say this but finally I have discovered what true love really means and I will do anything to stay with you. Who knows we may even find a way out of this in time."