Chapter Forty Nine
The Major
Torturing Carlisle and Edward Cullen kept me busy and amused for a while, they were terrified and often I didn't need to do anything except follow them silently like the Grim Reaper... just waiting. I made sure they were in the audience chamber when the latest batch of humans collected up by Heidi were brought in for dinner. Carlisle had been forced to consume human blood after his run in with me once he reached Volterra, at Aro's insistence but since then he had gone out into the countryside to hunt wild boar. Edward on the other hand hadn't touched human blood in years and I knew the smell of warm blood would fire a thirst in him, but would it be enough to tip him over into a feeding frenzy? I knew he was desperate to read my thoughts but once more Samuel had come to my defence, no one, not even Aro could read them, or at least not my true thoughts, they lay well hidden. All he got were surface thoughts and when Edward was reading those I made sure I was thinking about Maria and my time as her right hand man. That was enough to sicken his puritanical brain into revulsion that made him sick to his stomach.
Edward
I had no idea why we'd been summoned here until the Volturi appeared looking eager followed a few minutes later by a group of bewildered looking humans. I looked at Carlisle in horror and he turned to leave but Jasper bared the way,
"Going somewhere?"
"We shouldn't be here and you know it"
"On the contrary this is exactly where you should be, learning to feed like normal vampires, on your natural prey. Besides Aro wanted to speak to you so as soon as he's finished dinner you'll be right here waiting."
He wasn't going to let us leave so we shrank into a corner of the room by one of the open windows staring out as the carnage began. The scent of warm human blood had my mouth-watering and I couldn't help turning round to watch in a fascinated horror. Jasper smiled and grabbed a young woman who was trying to flee dragging her over and biting into her neck then offering her to me. The sight and smell of the warm blood as it trickled from the wound in her neck was just too much for me and I found myself with her in my arms as I drained her body of all its blood. Carlisle tried to stop me but Jasper intervened holding him back as she fell lifeless to the floor. There were still humans screaming and trying hopelessly to hide or run and I snatched another, a young man this time almost ripping his head off in my eagerness to feed again.
The Major
I had guessed Edward was the weaker of the two and soon he had abandoned himself to his thirst while I held Carlisle back. The look of horror and pain on the Doctors face made me feel good inside.
"Why are you doing this? Edward never did anything to you."
"You're right, he didn't, but you care about him and I told you my mission was to ruin everyone you ever cared about. This is just the beginning Carlisle, just a small beginning."
Edward finished draining his second human and stood eyes glazed with excitement wiping the blood from his lips with an unsteady hand. I looked over at Aro who was smiling very slightly, he was happy that at least one of the Cullens was back in the fold, we both knew it would be almost impossible to stop Edward feeding on humans again now but I knew Carlisle would try. Aro thought he was controlling me but this was just what I wanted to do so let him.
Carlisle
Edward came back to the window looking at me with eyes that were already turning crimson.
"You can't do this Edward. I didn't change you to become a monster feeding on innocent human beings. Remember our way of life, how strong you were when you resisted the lure of the humans"
"Maybe Edward's decided he's sick of being strong and denying himself Carlisle."
"No he isn't. This is your doing Jasper and I swear..."
"What? That you'll get your own back on me? That you'll kill me? You already tried and it just made me stronger. Look out Carlisle I haven't even begun yet. Now Aro is waiting"
We walked over to the desk where Aro sat waiting, a smile still hovering on his lips.
"Carlisle, Edward, I was surprised to see you here for dinner but it was a pleasure to see Edward embracing our true nature."
I knew to complain wouldn't help, I would wait until Edward and I were alone to speak to him about it but I knew deep inside that I was going to lose him to his darker side just as I had once before but this time I wondered if he would ever return. Perhaps if I could persuade him to stay with me I could wean him off the human blood slowly and that way he would remain at my side.
"I'm afraid we were too early, Jasper must have got his times wrong"
"Yes of course, still it worked out well in the end. Now I just wanted you both to know that Alice will be staying here. She has moved in with our wives and has settled in well which is wonderful news. Carlisle, the Volturi jet will be ready to take you back after tomorrows entertainment."
"What about Edward? You promised me I could take him home with me"
"Well I think the decision should be his don't you old friend? How do you feel about returning with your sire?"
As I waited for Edward to reply I saw Jasper smiling, he knew as well as I did that consuming human blood would make Edward less eager to return with me to a diet of animal blood.
"I'd like to think about it"
"Of course Edward, take as long as you need. You can always join Carlisle later once you are sure."
"Perhaps it might be a good idea for Edward to see how happy Alice is to stay in Volterra Aro"
I glared at Jasper as he suggested this, we all knew Alice was only happy because she was forced to be and I wondered if Chelsea would use her influence on my Edward too but there was nothing I could do...I was powerless here in Volterra.
"What a good idea Major. Heidi dearest would you show Edward to the wives quarters he is going to visit his sister."
"Of course Aro. Please Edward"
They walked off together heads close and I saw that it wouldn't be Corin or Chelsea who snared Edward but Heidi, the Volturi fisher who could lure anyone to follow her.
"Is something worrying you Carlisle? You look unhappy."
"I don't think Edward should stay here Aro. You promised me I could take him home."
"Yes but surely it should be his choice to make? Or is free will something you have given up on my friend?"
"No, I think free will is a right for every man but remember I know about Chelsea and Corin."
"Carlisle you wound me. I would never use them to force Edward to stay with us, if he stays it will be because he chooses to."
"Aro I know you find my actions reprehensible with regard to Jasper but please do not take my son away from me."
"I think The Major can exact his own revenge for what was done to him Carlisle. I merely offered you my aid when you asked me for it and I was grateful to gain him for the guard but please don't think that our friendship will stop me from allowing justice. If The Major feels he is exacting his revenge by persuading Edward that he would be better off here with us then who am I to stand in his way?"
So my old friend was throwing us to the lions and there wasn't a single thing I could do about it but sit helpless and watch.
