AN: I'm back! It's a little over a year since my last update and it's been full of many ups and downs. But, I promised I wouldn't abandon this story and so here I am. Thank you, to everyone who wrote me telling me how much you like my story and want me to continue writing. This chapter is for you. NO BETA, so please tread carefully.
Chapter 38: Secrets Told.
Zafrina, Senna, and Kachiri all came rushing toward us, yelling for us to stop. We froze as the trio approached. They all seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Just before we were about to ask what was the matter, Kachiri hit a switch turning the lights off in both rooms. Once both rooms were plunged into darkness it was clear to see why they stopped us. An intricate web of red beams of light filled the newly discovered room.
"Those are laser beams if you cross through them, not only will you trigger an alarm, you'd also be cut to shreds." Senna explained while fishing threw her hip pouch.
"How did you find this door? I know when we searched this room it wasn't here." Zafrina inquired.
"A while back I was told about a security system that hid its contents by using a holographic image to camouflage the entrance. I took a chance that Demitri was using such a system and luckily found the lever that opened this door." Edward answers.
"So the rumors are true about the hidden room in the palace." Zafrina says thoughtfully.
"It would seem so." retorted Edward.
"Do you know how to disable this?" I ask waving my hand at the laser filled room, not directing my question to any in particular person.
"Yes, it's right here." Senna said holding up a small coin size device.
"Everyone step back and shield your eyes. This is going to emit a sonic light blast that will destroy the sensors." Senna says while stepping closer to the room.
We all backed away, finding shelter behind a stack of boxes. I covered my eyes with my hands. A moment later a bright flash of light filled my vision, followed by the sound of my beloved howling in pain.
"Edward, are you alright?" Zafrina asked in concern.
"Shit! I should have known that just covering his eyes wouldn't be enough. Let Kachiri look at your eyes Edward." Senna says agitatedly.
Kachiri jumped into action approaching a kneeling Edwards, who had his hands over his burnt eyes. She forced his hands away from his eyes and pried one open looking at the damage. She reached into her hip pouch and pulled out a small blue tear shaped pod of some sort. I knew a lot of herbal remedies and never have I seen a plant, root, or seed like this one. She pulled out her knife cutting off the tip of the pod then sheathed her knife. Prying Edward's eye open again she squeezed a gooey clear substance from the pod into it and repeating the proses with the other eye. Edward seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and relax his tense muscles.
"What is that? I've never seen anything like it?" I ask out of curiosity.
Kachiri answers in a whispery tone,
"It is a mutated plant. The scientists have genetically altered several well-known herbal remedies with pharmaceuticals products. Each of these plans is created to treat specific areas of the body, as well as specific injuries or ailments.
"This pod targets eyes injuries. It has mega doses of vitamins and minerals that are geared to improve eye function. It is high in vitamin A, C, D, and E as well as beta-carotene, zinc, selenium, omega-3 fatty acids, and several other ingredients. Then they added an analgesic to numb the eye, some anti-inflammatories to reduce swelling, antibiotics to treat or prevent infection, and some antihistamines to stop further itching, swelling, and redness.
"These mutt-plants are only available in the Capital and are not widely known about, they are also very expensive. Even the rich would consider them a luxury."
"Then how do you not only know about them, but also possess some?" I ask.
Zafrina answers, "We were lucky to have learn about them from one of our spies. I was then able to appropriate some during our stay in the palace."
I snort, "You stole some from the kings' stash, didn't you?"
She smirks yet doesn't answer my question and asks Edward, "How are your eyes now? Do you think you can you open them yet?"
He takes his time answering, "I can still feel the light and it burns slightly, even now with my eyes closed. Give me a minute and I'll try to open them."
"Take your time Edward I'd rather let them heal then injure you any further. Give the plant some more time to work."
A long drawn out whistle came from across the room. Senna was in the hidden room. This peaked my interest. Edward I could somehow tell even without his sight and told me it was alright to go investigate. I swiftly get up and cross the room. What awaited me had me stunned.
Inside was an arsenal. Weapons of every make and model littered the walls. Cross bows, rifles, guns, grenades, knives, and swords, the list goes on and on. I'm betting the kings do not know of this fortress. Demitri has enough weapons to build his own army and there is no way the king allow that. They trusted no one.
"WOW! The damage we could cause, if only we could take it all with us." Senna says.
"How in the Hell did he build such a collection?" I ask in awe.
"I'm not sure, but there is defiantly more to Demitri then even we knew about." she replied.
Zafrrina walks in and you could see the wheels turning in her head as looks around taking inventory of everything in the room.
"We need to rethink our packing strategies. Weapons will take top priority. We demolish the place when we leave. That way only Demitri will know the possible weapons we posses and he will not risk telling the kings of this stash, for fear of punishment."
"Do you think he has any documentation as to how or where he got all these goodies?" Senna asks.
"No, he's to smart for that. We were lucky enough to find this room. I highly doubt he'd risk his dealer's identity if this place was ever found." Zafrina replies.
"Should we worry about any other booby-traps n here, since he would want to keep his stash secret at all cost?" I ask.
Zafrina and Senna both seem to consider this. But, it was Edward who answered.
"This place will be rigged with any number of security precautions to keep both this place and it's owner's safe. My fear is Demitri has been working with someone with power and a abundant amount of resources."
He pauses and shares a meaningful look with me before he continues. I was shocked! Edward was about to share the information that has been kept a closely guarded family secret for decades.
"Let me share with you a few little known heavily guarded secrets. The kings have learned how to slow aging to the point of almost standstill. They have staged it so it appears as if a family member takes over every decade or so, but they have in fact ruled us for centuries. Each taking turns or sharing the power like they are right now. Caius war ruled during the great uprising. Aro ruled after the fact and invented the games. This system has worked for them. However, within the last century Caius has become greedy. He wants to rule alone. Not hiding the Monster he truly is. Enslaving all but, a select few to serve him and his sick fantasies.
"I'm sure he is ecstatic now that Marcus is out of the way. Aro is proving to be more of a challenge. My grandfather found out Caius was building an army to over through his brothers right before the uprising broke out. He had to delay his plans. Aro had to have been overly paranoid after the uprising looking for any signs of rebellion. I think Caius has been rebuilding his army and Demitri is one of his chosen soldiers."
The tension in the room was thick.
"Did Aro ever find out about his brother's plot to over through him and what did your grandfather intend to do with this information?" a quiet voice asks from behind Edward. It seemed Kachiri had joined us.
"No Aro never suspected a thing. I'm not sure what the rebels would have done. They never received the intel, my grandfather was captured and publicly executed before he could give it to them. I'm thinking they would have either tried stealing from Caius's hidden armories or leak the information about the impending overthrow to Aro's, you know divide and concur or maybe both?"
"Then what did Aro think your grandfather knew that was important enough to make an example out of?" Senna asks.
"I number one rule the brothers had was no one must find out about their near immortality and constant rule. My grandfather was looking to expose their most prized secret."
"You say near immortal can you explain?" Senna inquires.
"They physically age about one year every couple of decades. They are also immune to all illness and diseases. They can be injured but, they heal fast. The only positive is they can be killed, dead is dead. You just need to make sure you kill them quickly, before they can heal. Have you noticed the smell of blood on them or their red eyes? It from years of consuming blood. It helps slow the aging and regenerate, it also heals them quicker if injured."
I'm repulsed and appalled at first, then I notice Edward wearing a self loathing expression and Kachiri with a freshly bandaged wrist. Looking around I note I'm not the only one to notice.
"No." I whisper so softly no one should have heard me.
"I wanted to tell you earlier but, didn't know how to broach the subject. They turned me into a monster." he cries and sobs into his hands that now cover his face.
It took me a minute to truly absorb everything.
"It doesn't matter." I say in a small voice.
"What? You don't care I was turned into a blood thirst monster? It's aright with you that I will have to drink human blood in order to survive. When you look at me do you not see a discussing creature?" he yelled.
"When you look at me? Am I disfigured (Holding up my branded arm), dirty (Wrapping my arms around my torso, thinking of what occurred with Felix and Demitri), a murderer (I point to a bow on the wall, reminding him what happened during the games). Aren't I a monster the kings created?" I retort hotly.
Edward inhales sharply looking alarmed at my comment and I continue before he can respond.
"No we are both victims of the same evil the walks this world. We can either deal with the blows we have suffered or we can wallow and wither away like much of Panem already has. I am many things, but a monster I AM NOT! The monsters are the one who continue to cause pain and suffering to all that surround them for nothing more then personal gain and pleasure. So, no it doesn't matter what they did to you. What matters is, what are you going to do with what you've been dealt!"
There was utter silence after my little speech. Edward and I just stared into one another's eyes. I saw when understanding sunk in and acceptance washed over Edward. only then did I break the silence.
"I love you, Edward. Modifications and all. Can you still love me and all that come with me?"
He strode across the room in only a couple of long strides and kissed me like I was the air he need to breath. once we broke apart he said in a strong and passionate voice,
"You are my world now. Thank you, for loving me as much as, I love you." with that he kissed me yet again.
"As much as I hate to break up this littler love fest we need to start packing and planning." Zafrina says popping our little bubble.
"Of coarse! Sorry, about that." Edward replies with a slight blush staining his cheeks.
I never thought I'd see the day Edward blush but, here I stand witnessing it. All of this only proves we have a lot to still learn about one another. I know I am looking forward to it, let's just hope we live long enough to explore each other more. I turn and call over to Senna,
"Dibs on the bow!"
This seamed to have more of an affect then even Zafrina's words. Everyone started inventorying, planning, and figuring out how we should approach what we found in this hidden room.