Chapter Forty Seven

Caius

Athenadora was being particularly difficult which was highly frustrating for me. For God's sake, didn't the woman see how I needed some time alone to enjoy my first taste of freedom in centuries? She got to go swanning around Italy with Sulpicia and guards while I'd been stuck in this fucking citadel.

"Athena, for God's sake listen to me. I'm going for a little trip on my own. Don't you trust me? What do you think I'm going to do? Run away and never come back. Have a little faith, woman."

"Trust? Faith? Those are rich words coming from you. When have you ever been trustworthy? The first woman you see you'll be back to your old tricks."

I really didn't want to waste time arguing with Athena, it seemed such a waste.

"Look, I'm going. I'll be a few weeks, a month at most and when I get back, I promise you that we'll take a vacation together. Anywhere you want, your choice. For now, though, I have things to do. So please, just let me be."

I wasted no time in packing enough for a week. I intended to buy a whole new wardrobe to celebrate my new found freedom. Then I planned on having a good time. A little art, a little culture, and lots and lots of women. I would stop off to hunt before reaching my first destination so I would have plenty of self-control. I wasn't going to give Aro any excuse to haul me back to Volterra so a killing spree was out of the question.

Of course, he couldn't resist the opportunity to warn me about my behaviour.

"Remember Caius, everything has changed. You must respect the humans around you. Women are treated differently from the last time you were among them, they are equal to the men. Maybe you should take Athena with you, just for some support."

"I'm quite capable of controlling myself, Aro. I do not need a babysitter."

He wasn't happy but he couldn't order me to do as he wanted. Did he not understand how desperately I needed my liberty after so long?

Aro

Sulpicia and I watched as Caius drove out of the citadel, amused at his obvious excitement.

"Athena is fuming. She blames you for not insisting he take her with him."

"That would hardly have been appropriate under the circumstances. She doesn't deserve his fate."

"No, she doesn't, but we women all seem to pay for the evil doings of our husbands."

I frowned, she had sound bitter which was unlike Sulpicia although she had seemed somewhat distant and cold the last few days.

"What's wrong, my dear? You sound depressed. Are you having second thoughts about Caius?"

She shook her head, but I could sense she was distracted by something. It was strange because although I touched her on a regular basis, just like any other husband, I couldn't see what was bothering her. That concerned me because it seemed likely that she was either lying and was concerned about Caius' fate or she was hiding something from me. No, that was impossible, Sulpicia wouldn't, couldn't hide her thoughts from me.

I stretched out to take her hand but she moved it away. I couldn't say she had done it deliberately, it had been far too casual and unthinking. I was being silly, Sulpicia and Athena were such close friends that of course my dear wife would be distracted. She knew that very soon Athena would be in mourning for her husband and Sulpica also knew that she was, in part, responsible for that.

Despite everything she had seen and experienced over the centuries she was still so soft-hearted and innocent. I had expected her to become hardened to the rougher side of ruling the vampire world but somehow she seemed to have retained her sweet innocence. If she only knew the extent of my actions. Would she be as forgiving or willing to turn a blind eye as Athena had been for so very long?

I suspected there might be a steel core to my wife even though I had never seen it. I always sensed that if she felt betrayed she might turn out to be as ruthless and bloodthirsty as me, maybe even more so. I was reminded of that quotation regarding a woman scorned.

"I think I'll go see Athena for a while. I know she's really upset about Caius leaving her behind. Maybe we'll take a trip to Pisa. You don't mind, do you?"

"No. Of course not. I have plenty to keep me occupied. Buy yourself something nice my love."

She smiled, nodded, and walked away, but as she left I thought I detected a sadness in her eyes. I had underestimated her feelings towards Athenadora. Much as she hated Caius she was feeling guilty at being involved in his planned execution and spending time with her friend would make her feel better, or at least I hoped so.

Personally I couldn't wait to hear that Caius was dead. In the meantime, after much deliberation, I had written a shortlist of candidates to replace him. I knew both Jane and Alec had always harbored hopes of joining the ruling council in time. There were also Chelsea and Corin to consider. Both of whom had their own hunger for power. Of course, I had my own favorite. Felix had been a loyal subordinate for centuries and despite his reputation as an enforcer was also extremely intelligent and fair-minded.

Sulpicia and Athena both had a vote as did Marcus although he rarely spoke and usually followed my lead. I just had to decide which of the candidates I preferred. Jane or Alec would be valuable additions to the ruling council, but both were also ambitious and more than happy to vocalize their ideas. They could, therefore, become an irritation if they decided to push those. At the end of the day, Felix would be the better choice and I began planning my arguments for putting his name forward as the logical choice.

Sulpicia

Aro had looked at me strangely a couple of times and I knew he would soon become suspicious if I continued to avoid him, but I couldn't bear to let him touch me. I wanted time to myself but I knew that was a luxury I couldn't afford. So, I asked Athena to join me for a shopping trip into Pisa that afternoon giving myself enough time to speak to Marcus first.

The good thing about Marcus was that you always knew where to find him and I made my way carefully down to the archives, ensuring that no one saw me.

Marcus stood up surprised on seeing me and then recovering quickly gestured for me to sit down.

"Sulpicia? What a pleasant surprise. Please, sit down."

I sat nervously, knowing that the next few minutes were going to change lives and almost certainly destroy one.

"I seem to have become very popular of late. First Aro and now you. Not that I'm complaining, far from it. So, what can I do for you?"

"Dear Marcus. I'm not sure how to begin so please bear with me. You know Caius has left for Rome?"

"I heard he was going but I did wonder if he would get away without Athenadora. I decided I didn't want to say goodbye. You understand my feelings towards Caius so I know you won't criticize me for not being a hypocrite."

"No, I understand completely but I didn't come here to talk about Caius. This is something far more disturbing. It concerns Didyme."

Marcus frowned and I noticed his fists clench spasmodically, even now he couldn't think about his wife without pain.

"Didyme? I don't understand."

"Did you know that a prisoner was secretly executed recently in this citadel?"

His frown deepened, "No, on whose order?"

"Aro's. He had a meeting with this prisoner first and it was overheard by someone who passed it on and it finally came to my ears."

"And this conversation concerned my wife? Are you telling me that Aro discovered Didyme's killer and had him killed without telling me? No, he wouldn't do that. He knows how much it would mean to me to confront the animal who murdered my precious mate."

I hesitated, but it was too late to turn back now. I had stepped onto this path and I couldn't step off it again.

"No. The prisoner was not Didyme's murderer but he was an accomplice. Do you remember the postern gate?"

"I remember every second of that cursed day. The guards surmised that the killer had escaped through a postern gate which had been left unlocked. Wait a minute. You mean this was the man who left the door unlocked?"

"By his own admission."

"Then why didn't Aro tell me? Who was it? Why did Aro have him killed without telling me? What aren't you telling me, Sulpicia?"

My muscles clenched with internal tension as I continued.

"I am so sorry, Marcus. The man who helped the killer by unlocking the door was a member of the guard."

Marcus just shook his head, "No. That would mean her killer came from within the citadel too, or the person responsible for setting it up which would mean that Didyme's death was not a terrible tragedy but cold-blooded and premeditated murder. "

I nodded, the horror choking my throat and making the words almost impossible to speak.

"Marcus, it was Aro. The prisoner opened the gate on Aro's orders."

I thought it impossible to see a vampire flinch but Marcus appeared even whiter and appeared to shrink in on himself.

He didn't say a word, just slumped forward in his chair and closed his eyes. His head bowed and resting in his hands. His shoulders rose and fell as if he were crying and I slipped off my chair and knelt beside him wrapping an arm around his tense shoulders in an effort to comfort him. I had never felt so wretched in my life.

After a few minutes, Marcus straightened up and I removed my arm and took his hand in mine and looked directly into his eyes which were tortured with pain and sorrow mixed with rage.

"Marcus, believe me. I was horrified when I learned the truth. I came to you as soon as I found out. I could hardly believe it myself."

"But you did. If not, you wouldn't have told me."

I nodded, "Yes."

"Does he know that you know?"

"No. But it won't be long. Nothing remains a secret in this place for long. I'm taking Athenadora into Pisa later today."

He understood my meaning. The place would be quiet, just Aro, Marcus, and the guard and I was sure Marcus could find an excuse to bring Aro to him.

Marcus frowned, "You know what I have to do, Sulpicia. Why did you tell me?"

"I like to think that I would have done so anyway but I cannot lie to you, Marcus. The things that little girl told me stuck. If I thought it was the correct thing to do to put right the wrong done to Darius and Sara, how could I not do the same for you and Didyme?"

He nodded, staring over my head and I knew he couldn't meet my eyes. Was he wondering how long I had known the truth about Didyme despite my words? I didn't blame him, I guess I would have wondered too.

"Losing Caius and Aro will be traumatic for the Volturi. Do you think it will survive?"

"There's still you, Marcus. It will be down to you to save the Volturi if you think it's worth saving."

He nodded, "That is indeed a question. I'm not sure I'm prepared to sit on Aro's throne."

"Then don't but save us, Marcus. Do not let us return to the dark ages for the sake of our kind. Fashion a new Volturi, you'll have plenty of backing. A lot of the Volturi guard regard you very highly, I know I do. If you can, would you consider allowing Athena to remain? She has a lot to offer or she will once she realizes she is free of Caius and that it's a good thing."

"Let's wait until everything that needs to be done is done. I spent most of my vampire life mourning Didyme and wishing I could lay my hands on the person who took her life. I used to run over and over in my mind what I would do to that person but now I know. Now he's within my grasp I can hardly believe it. I'm afraid once she is avenged I will have nothing left, not for me to continue or to offer anyone else."

"You'll get through this and you'll be free."

"Free?"

"Yes. Well, it's obvious that Aro has used Chelsea and Corin to keep you trapped, happy, and content all these years."

"Happy? Content? Hardly. I think Aro may have used them or tried to, but if so it didn't work, not long term. I often wondered why I stayed. I think partly because I had nowhere else to go, no other family but the Volturi and I felt closer to Didyme here, working beside her brother. Her… I still can hardly believe it. I ask myself why and hope I can come up with an answer that makes sense."

"You know why. Aro needed your gift to keep control, you were far more valuable to him than Didyme and Aro has always wanted power. When you and Didyme decided you wanted to leave Volterra and told Aro he decided he had no choice. If Didyme were to die and he could keep you here then…"

He nodded gravely. I knew he was suffering terribly but he showed very little emotion. I guess that had been worn out of him over the centuries.

"Thank you for telling me, Sulpicia. It took courage, a lot of courage. I think under the circumstances you should leave Volterra as quickly as possible."

I nodded and stepped away.

"I truly am sorry Marcus. I wish I had found out sooner but I know I've done the right thing."

He didn't answer. I could see he was already making plans for his revenge and all I could do was to leave him to it and flee from Volterra. I knew that was a cowardly thing to do but I was a coward when it came to Aro. I had loved him once and I guess in a way I still did, but I hated and feared him more since discovering his horrific crime.

I walked back to my suite to pick up my jacket and bag but on the stairs, I hesitated. Could I really be so cowardly and base as to run from justice? Marcus deserved my support and Aro deserved to see that no one, not even his wife, was willing to allow him to get away with such a horrific crime. Deciding on my next move I continued up the stairs and knocked on Athena's door. It was time for all the terrible secrets to see the light of day, whatever the outcome might be.