Thank you for the reviews, Draegan88, misstwilightprincess, PlainLittleJane, and eviltimewaster! And for the Faves/Alerts, DreamingHopelessly, XMasterBlackX, and HecatetheDarkWitch. It's great to hear from you!
There's another dream sequence from Cornelia's childhood in this one – remember, dreams are in italics. I didn't spend much time proofreading this chapter, so forgive any typos.
Please enjoy!
-Scarlet
Chapter 41: The Blame
October 20th 1932, past midnight
Volterra, Italy
Jasper was gone when I turned around. Why did he leave so suddenly? Turning my attention back to Edward, "What's amiss?" I asked innocently.
He frowned, staring in the direction in which Jasper had left. "You noticed his strange behavior, didn't you?"
My face flushed when I realized our conversation had been completely exposed to the vampire's sensitive hearing. "Of course –"
"It was her." He jerked his head to the side where Chelsea stood with her gaze on the ground. "The act is fresh on her mind."
I squinted at Chelsea for answers. I'd always known her to be hostile toward me, but never in such an open manner. Besides, she can't use her ability to manipulate me. "Chelsea...?"
"I'm not accustomed to my actions being known." She glared daggers at Edward. "I was simply performing as I was instructed."
It took me several moments to process her implication. Heidi told me that Chelsea can't manipulate my relationship ties, nor can Marcus see them. So how...?
"Can't you reverse it?" Edward demanded, returning her glare with full force.
She scoffed. "Hardly. It's neither your business nor your concern, scum."
Their argument became background noise as the situation clicked in my head. It was so obvious... Chelsea didn't manipulate my relationship with Jasper... she changed his relationship with me. I felt my heart sink at the notion. It wouldn't have mattered what I said to him – he was a completely different person as far as I was concerned. I was a stranger; a liability to him at this point. The weight of reality pulled my spirit so low that I felt the need to lie down.
But instead of caving to my weakness, my body reacted in an entirely different way. My hands were tightly around Chelsea's neck before I spared it a second thought, dragging her like a limp ragdoll to a nearby alleyway. I smashed her body into the side of a brick building, shattering the mortar like brittle glass. "Why?" I growled, glaring up at her surprised expression.
Her feet dangled a foot above the ground as she scratched at my hands. "C-Cornelia...," she squeaked with what little air remained in her dead lungs. My right thumb was crushing her voice box.
The next moment, I felt two powerful grips on my shoulders, yanking me away from Chelsea. A snarl ripped from my throat as my target escaped. I thrashed against Demetri and Felix's restraint, deaf to any words of reason they uttered. White wisps of my natural shield ability flickered through the space around me – my self-control had become unhinged. The razor-sharp fragments could have inflicted heavy damage on my friends had I been focused enough to aim correctly.
I don't remember much thereafter... unconsciousness took a fast hold on me.
*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
My latchstring tapped against the tanned leather of my lunchbox with every step I took along the rocky road. The walk from the schoolhouse to Martha's home was nearly three miles, but the flat surface of the wagon trail made the journey tolerable. My shoes crunched the dirt beneath my feet.
Crunch, tap, crunch, tap... crunch, tap, crunch, tap...
"Hello, girl."
My young ears hadn't noticed the boy's quick steps behind me until he spoke. The late afternoon sun shone brightly on the pasture we were passing though, so I raised a hand to shield my eyes as I looked over at him. It was Joshua – the son of a farmer that lived a short way from Martha's house. We had attended the same one-room schoolhouse for three years, and used the same road to travel to and fro each day. However, we were hardly acquainted due to my naturally reclusive nature. Even though I was at the physical age of five, I appeared much older; so much so that I was taller than 11-year-old Joshua.
"Hello, Joshua." Though I remembered his name, he never remembered mine.
"My pa asked if you'd want to help us with the hay bailing next week. I reckon he'll pay you just like us kids." He shrugged, pointing to himself. Joshua had two older brothers and a younger sister.
"Ezra and Daniel will be there?" I blushed after the question left my lips. His brother Ezra was the oldest and smartest kid in school. He was also the most handsome and charming. Martha called him a "lady's man."
"My brothers always help pa with the bailing..." He'd said this as though I was stupid for asking. "So, can you or can't you?" he snapped impatiently.
I wiped the sweat from my brow, acting as though the sun was to blame for my bright red face. "I can't next week. Martha needs me."
"Well... if you say so." Joshua ran ahead of me, leaving me alone for the rest of my journey.
*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
"Cornelia, wake up..."
"Can she hear us? Is she awake?"
"No, she's dreaming... maybe if..."
My eyes snapped open in reaction to the voices around me. I sat up immediately, but quickly put a shaky hand to my head when my body filled with lethargy. A soft buzz sounded in my ears; my skull throbbed with soreness. "Joshua, I can't..."
"Cora, are you alright? Cora?"
My vision finally focused on the face in front of me. "Jas... Jasper?" I frowned in confusion – dreams of my early childhood always filled me with disorientation when I awoke. The room was familiar to me, as was the cashmere couch on which I sat. My room... Volterra...
"Perhaps you should lie down, Cornelia." Another face came into focus – Edward's. He stood over me as Jasper knelt by my side.
My fingers twitched on my clammy forehead. "No, I... I'm perfectly fine." Standing was difficult, but I managed well enough. Jasper stood with me, stepping a reasonable distance away. Both men watched me carefully, tensely. I swallowed, feeling rather famished. "What happened?" I asked simply.
They exchanged worried looks, but neither answered directly. "How does you head feel?" Edward asked.
I moved my fingers to probe the back of my head, where the pain originated. I hissed in discomfort when I found the skin tenderer than I'd predicted. "Sore," I replied. An indistinct memory flashed through my mind... someone had hurt me.
Edward frowned. "I'm afraid Demetri was a bit more forceful than necessary."
"Demetri..." My eyes widened in remembrance. "He pushed..." I gently rubbed the spot where my head connected with the building behind me. There was no blood, but I would no doubt have a lump for a few days. "That's why I blacked out."
"You can understand why he did it..." Edward sighed uneasily. "Everything's been sorted out with the building owner... both of them."
I slowly lowered my hands to my sides, clenching them into fists. "He did what was necessary." Another bout of dizziness hit me; my knees wobbled.
"Yes, I did." At the words, my stomach clenched painfully from both surprise and hunger. I hadn't noticed Demetri himself standing inside the open door to my chambers.
Another voice came from behind, but deeper, "You gave us all quite the scare, Cornelia." A stoic Felix stepped into my peripheral vision, arms crossed.
My heart pounded uncomfortably. They're here to make sure I don't go berserk again. "I'm sorry," I whispered, knowing everyone in the whole castle would hear me. "There's no excuse for my actions." My head bowed in shame, as did my spirit.
A heavy hand thumped my shoulder amiably. "Don't worry – we forgive you," Felix chided lightly, wearing his usual smile. "Well... I can't exactly speak for Chelsea. And Renata looked a bit more peeved than usual this morning." He laughed good-naturedly, inciting a smile on my face.
"Thank you, Felix." I nodded gratefully to him, then to Demetri. I was met with a stern scowl by the latter. "I'll speak with Chelsea as soon as I'm able." My stomach clenched once again, and I got the feeling that Felix's hand was the only thing keeping me upright.
Demetri stepped forward and motioned for Felix to leave. "Very well. Regain yourself soon, for Aro wishes to speak with the three of you." He nodded formally to us as he followed Felix out the door.
When they had left the immediate corridor, I sank down to the couch and rested my ear on the soft armrest, letting my eyes slip closed. I felt wound up and displeased with myself. It was very, very infrequent that I lost my composure so severely... much less amongst friends. I felt disgraced. "I'm sorry," I repeated, speaking to Edward and Jasper this time. But when I opened my eyes, there was the only one of them in the room.
"Please don't say that," Jasper murmured softly, sitting on the other end of the couch.
I felt even more stressed without Edward in the room. I sat up cautiously and turned my head to see him. His gaze was sorrowful. "Jasper, I need –" I stopped all movement when I felt a flicker of hope in my chest; it felt as though I had reached the end of a long and troublesome journey. I couldn't help the satisfied grin that settled on my face.
"That's how it felt," Jasper whispered, holding my peaceful gaze with one of his own. "That's exactly how it felt when I met Alice."
Before I had a chance to respond, a wave of despair slammed into me, stealing my breath. My heart bled with misery, and I forced myself to withhold a whimper. "S-Stop changing my emotions, J-Jasper...," I whined.
"I'm not changing anything, Cora. This is how you naturally feel right now." His jaw tightened, and I knew it was hard for him to bear it as well.
I felt a tear slide from the corner of my eye. "Oh." He's been sustaining me since I woke up. I let my face fall into my hands, sniffling pathetically.
The next half-hour passed in a very similar nature. I felt no external interference with my emotional process – I assumed that Jasper wished for me to recover on my own. I couldn't help but feel grateful for that fact. As selfish as I was at the time, I still clung to my independence. During that half-hour time, I judged myself. I judged my behavior the previous evening, my reaction to Jasper's return, and my atrocious actions. I was guilty on all accounts.
My punishment must come later. For now, I must redeem myself as much as possible.
I stood up, suddenly feeling a steadfast resolve. This new resolve was for something that I'd obviously lacked until that point: strength. The strength to stand alone and survive whatever fate had in store. Whether my life ended in happiness or desolation, I would be strong enough to see it through to the very end. My fate was set – all I could do was walk its clouded path.
"And who are we to question destiny?" I whispered to myself, smiling. It was only then that I noticed the sliver of sunlight escaping the dense material of my sitting room curtains. The sight gave me hope, my own hope this time. I turned to Jasper, who had remained in the same position the entire time. "I'm fine now," I said to him. "Thank you for your patience."
He nodded, smiling with relief. "I'm glad to hear it. You're looking a bit pale, though... maybe you should eat some of that." He motioned to the low book table in front of the couch.
I spotted the silver tray from the kitchen, bearing a small meal, a tea set, and a handkerchief. I slid to the flood, sitting on my knees before the food. Realizing that I was beyond starving, I muttered an apology for my rudeness before plucking three grapes from their green vine.
"You've been through a lot, Cora... and it's all my fault." His despondent tone caused me to glance over at him.
"It's no one's fault, Jasper... I understand that now."
My words didn't console him – he continued to frown.
I sighed and turned back to my meal. I shouldn't have said those things last night. I gently lifted the teapot and poured myself a cup. The spoon daintily tapped inside the edges of the cup as I stirred in the sugar. The liquid wasn't quite hot anymore, but satisfying nonetheless. "Tell me about this 'Alice'," I implored, trying to distract him. I began tearing my baguette in half as he recovered from the surprise my question no doubt caused.
"What would you like to know?" he asked evasively.
"Anything." I nibbled on a piece of the soft bread. "She described herself as having a 'pre-cognitive' ability?"
He nodded, clearly concerned about my curiosity. "She found me in Philadelphia because she knew I would be there... waiting for her." He chuckled softly, recalling the memory. "She makes me very happy... I couldn't imagine living without her now. But... I can't describe how torn I was last night, Cora... before..."
"Before Chelsea used her ability...," I finished for him. "Edward must have told you."
"Everything changed," he continued. "It felt like my whole brain had been replaced with someone else's. I saw you, I felt you... but in a different way." He hesitated. "I was so anxious to talk to you, to explain everything – the letter, everything. But when I saw you..."
"Jasper, please... you don't have to..." I pulled myself up to sit next to him. Taking his hand in both of mine, I fixed my eyes to his. "All I ever wanted was your happiness. Even though you've found it in another woman, I can't help but be glad."
He looked hurt by my words, but gradually his hand relaxed in mine. He smiled sincerely. "You helped me as well, Cora. I still value our time together, and I hope you do too."
My heart skipped a beat when he leaned close to my ear. "Thanks for the memories."
He softly kissed my cheek.
*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
A peaceful, westward breeze washed over me. The air was chilly, but the bright half-moon and stars comforted me. I'd sat on the same stone bench for about an hour, absorbing the essence of the serene night. The castle garden's lake reflected the ornate sky like a rippled picture, a hazy memory. I sighed in harmony with the wind.
Jasper, Edward, and I had appeared before Aro just hours before; he was quickly informed of the entire situation by touching our hands. He'd found it immensely amusing, much to my embarrassment. However, just as I'd predicted, he was taken the most with Edward. Courteous as always, he had extended an invitation for Edward to join the Guard, promising him great rank and fortune. Also in line with my prediction, Edward refused time and again. Nonetheless, this didn't stop Aro from consuming his evening with idle conversation, scrutinizing Edward to no end. I'd politely excused myself to see Jasper off.
Jasper planned to take a boat from Piombino – the nearest port city to Volterra – and find transportation to America from Spain or Portugal. He'd left Volterra just after sundown, cutting short his unplanned trip. I was both sad and relieved to see him go. New lives awaited both of us; what they held in store was unknown. However, I knew that I could now face mine with courage and strength.
As my eyes closed, I let the worries of the day drift away with the wind. I was more content in that moment than I ever had been since meeting Jasper. Because the peace was my own – not put there externally.
I felt two presences enter the garden then – Chelsea and Demetri. I remained motionless; I hadn't spoken to Chelsea since... my outburst. I wonder what she must think of me now...
"Chelsea, please don't lurk about." I glanced behind, beckoning the dark figure closer to where I sat.
She approached with her natural grace, but her expression wasn't nearly as arrogant as usual. Instead of an air of superiority about her, there was an aura of humility. She sat next to me and folding her hands neatly in her lap, keeping her eyes down. "I've done you wrong," she finally said, a bit more regretful than I expected. "I've come to apologize."
"No need," I said immediately, casting my gaze back over the lake. "I've already taken my reprisal from you, I suspect." I scowled as I recalled what I'd done to her the night before.
"But you haven't forgiven me," she stated dryly.
"Nor shall I." I smiled when she looked up in surprise. "What is it?"
"You're always such a kind person... I'd anticipated you to pardon my actions straightaway."
I chuckled at the notion. "I'm much more bitter than I appear on the surface." My impolite frankness amazed even me, but the truth could not be denied. I would never truly forgive Chelsea for what she did, just as I couldn't forgive Carlisle. It was a matter far beyond my character.
"Then I can at least tell you the truth, Cornelia." A certain defiance rose in her voice, and I sensed that she was disobeying her master by continuing. "Aro knows you – just as he knows every one of us. He knew you were going to leave with that man, Jasper Whitlock. If I had left your connection untainted, your bond would have undoubtedly pulled you away from us. Aro would be very displeased if that happened –" she stopped abruptly, leaving something unsaid.
Of course... all went according to Aro's plan. He never intended for me to leave at all. I nodded gratefully. "Thank you for telling me this, Chelsea."
Her voice was reluctant. "No trouble."
Her "bodyguard" had progressively moved closer throughout the conversation. He was now standing behind the sitting bench, hands folded behind his back. "You shouldn't have said that, Chelsea," Demetri admonished severely. I could practically feel the weight of his glare on my back.
She retorted with a curt Italian phrase, which roughly translates, "You could never understand why." She spared me a patient nod as she stood angrily, retreating from the quiet garden like a shadow. I felt a pang of pity for her; Heidi had told me that she was turned at the age of sixteen, yet so much responsibility was placed on her. Of course, her two and a half centuries of experience as an immortal have shaped her in a way a human life could never have.
I stood as well, taking a moment to smooth out my deep purple dress. I had changed into something light and comfortable after the morning's events. I caught Demetri's eye as I turned to leave. "Welcome back," I said in monotone. "When did you arrive back at the castle?" I recalled his sudden appearance with Felix the night before.
"Yesterday morning," he replied in kind.
I tried not to show interest. Why hadn't I been informed of his arrival? "Well, then... good evening." I stepped past him.
My steps rustled the soft grass as I made my way back to the castle's rear entrance. My gown was much longer than my usual attire – due to its need for tailoring – so I held the cloth above my shoes for a swifter pace. A nice, warm glass of tea before bed, perhaps... Heidi wished to speak with me as well...
"Cornelia." Demetri's voice stopped me in my tracks; I half-turned to regard him. "Do you plan to remain with the Volturi? You've more than earned your place among us."
The statement, though spoken with no expression whatsoever, was the warmest thing that Demetri had said to me. I completely turned around, meeting Demetri's inquisitive gaze across the garden. The question startled me, and provoked a new mountain of thoughts for me to sort through. Is my destiny really with the Volturi?
"I... I'm not sure quite yet."
Do you think Cornelia should stay with the Volturi, or go find her own destiny? I have one or two more chapters planned for Part 3, then we're on to Part 4: Time Tension.
Thanks for reading!
Next time: "No More Regrets."
-Scarlet
