Chapter Sixty
Jasper
Megan was glowing when she arrived back from her 'date' with Alec which didn't particularly please me but when I saw the ring she was wearing I immediately became suspicious. Before I could say anything however, Bella asked her what they had been up to and was delighted with the present Megan gave her. I had to admit it was lovely as was the bowl she proudly informed us she had carved herself.
"So, where did you go?"
She reeled off the kind of places that I would have approved of and I relaxed a little as I understood that they hadn't been alone all day but with Jane and her boyfriend for at least part of the time.
"Then we went to the movies. It was an Italian film, the Great Beauty. It wasn't really my kind of film but the company made all the difference. Alec is a film buff, he loves old films too and there's a film exhibition this weekend, lots of classic movies. He asked me to go with him. Can I ?"
I was about to object when she added, "It will be good for my Italian."
Outmaneuvered I gave my grudging approval and then she dropped the bombshell.
"Do you like my ring? Alec made it for me. Look it's got my name engraved on it."
I looked at it disapprovingly.
"Don't you think it's a little early for him to be giving you presents like that?"
She turned innocent eyes on me, "Why, dad? I thought it was a lovely gesture. A memento to remember my trip to Volterra."
Bella jumped in before I could answer her.
"Well, I think it was sweet of him Megan, but tomorrow you must catch up with Marcus and your studies. OK?"
Megan
I nodded, that was fine, I could meet Alec later. If he knew I was working in the archives he might even join me in the morning and I found I liked the idea of that.
We spent as much time as possible together the next few days, made all the sweeter because we knew we would soon be parted and when Jane understood that my dad was being difficult she did all she could to run interference. She would ask me to help her with some translations and when Dad was sure I was safely ensconced and left Alec would sneak in and Jane would disappear giving us some privacy, or we would leave the citadel by a side door.
We explored the narrow alleys of the town, browsed the bookshops, went to the afternoon movie or made ourselves comfortable in our secret hideout, an old abandoned house on the edge of town.
Here we would talk, recite poetry, or read extracts from our favorite authors and hold hands or cuddle. It was all very innocent but I knew dad would never believe that.
I finally persuaded Alec to tell me about his human life which, it turned out, was horrible.
"Jane and I were born in England around 800 AD. Our mother was an Anglo Saxon and our father a Frankish soldier. We didn't understand our gifts then but we could still use them. Things started to happen to people in our village who upset us or were unkind to our family.
Eventually the villagers became suspicious and accused us of being witches and in league with the devil. They took us prisoner and some of them beat us while the others built a fire ready to burn us. If Aro hadn't turned up when he did we would have been burned to death."
"What happened to your parents? Didn't they try to save you?"
"Our father did but the other villagers killed him, they beat him to death and we were forced to watch. My mother kept silent. She was scared of being burned as a witch too. I think she would have been driven out of the village even if they let her live.
We left with Aro and he turned us as soon as we were old enough. We've been with the Volturi ever since. Our gifts have proved invaluable.
I was shocked when I discovered that he had only been fourteen when he was turned. I guess living for centuries added years to his demeanor and behavior.
Seeing the shock on my face he smiled.
"You thought I was older, didn't you? I guess we both have a strange childhood behind us. I mean, who would have thought you were only four?"
I stared at him then burst out laughing.
"I guess looking at it that way we were made for each other."
His smile broadened and he took my hand.
"I'm hoping so, Megan. You know I like you a lot and I'm going to miss you so much."
"I'll miss you too, but we can talk every day."
"It won't be the same though. I'm going to ask Sulpicia if I can be considered for any business in the States. If not then I'll visit you as soon as I can."
Thinking of the reaction that would invoke in my dad, I decided to try and slow things down just a little.
"Maybe we should give it a little while."
He pulled a face but nodded his understanding.
"Yeah, your dad isn't my biggest fan."
"It's nothing personal. He wouldn't like anyone I was interested in, Alec. We just have to give him some time, he'll come around."
He looked away and I frowned. That he had something on his mind was clear.
"Alec? What is it?"
"Can I ask you something, Megan? Something a little personal I guess."
"OK. Now I'm officially nervous. Go on."
"Jane tells me that you seemed to be interested in someone else before you came here. I mean it's none of my business really I guess, but as you and I have become closer, or I mean I thought we had, it worries me that maybe there's someone else. I mean maybe I have a rival for your affections."
I cursed inwardly, why did Jane have to tell him? I hadn't said a word to her so she must have heard it from Sulpicia.
I smiled and managed a small sarcastic laugh, "You mean Darius?"
He nodded but he was so serious I knew this mattered to him.
"Well, it's a long story."
He sat back but continued to hold my hand tightly.
"We have plenty of time. You don't need to be back for at least another hour."
I told him about my birth and how Dad had gotten in touch with my mom through Darius and how I thought he was cool and that I was grateful he had helped me to be reunited with mom and my family.
"Oh, so it was just a crush?"
"No, not a crush, I felt grateful to him for all he did and wanted to help him. He was so sad all the time too."
"So it was pity?"
I hesitated, had it been pity?
"I don't really know but it doesn't matter. He got his revenge and then he vanished."
"Do you think he's dead? That's what Jane and the others think. That he killed Caius and then killed himself."
I didn't want to think about Darius any more and I certainly didn't want to discuss him, not even with Alec.
Jumping up and pulling him to his feet I dragged him towards the door.
"Come on, we should get back. If my dad discovers I'm sneaking out with you he'll ground me for eternity."
"He's not really your dad, you don't have to listen to him, Megan."
I was so shocked by his words that I stopped dead and gaped at him.
"What?"
"The Major. He isn't your real Dad."
I frowned.
"Why would you say that?"
He stared at me puzzled, "Well. Because he isn't. Edward Cullen was your biological father. I mean I know he was a complete asshole but that's a fact. The Major was just there when you needed him. He saved you from the guardians, I understand that. You must be grateful to him but it's not as if he killed a pack of them doing it."
I wasn't sure whether to slap him or walk away. How dare he talk about my dad like that?
"You have no idea do you?"
"Idea? What? Are you angry with me? I'm sorry Megan. I never meant to upset you. I was just pointing out that the Major has no rights over you, he's just your stepdad and you're almost an adult now. You could leave any time you wanted to. In fact why don't you? Leave home, don't go back there. Stay here in Volterra. The Volturi would welcome you. Then we don't have to be apart ever."
"You are a complete idiot, Alec Volturi. I'm going back to the citadel."
I stormed off into the street and made my way back towards the citadel that rose up above the rooftops but found my way blocked by a red-faced Alec.
"What is your problem? What I said was the truth. You're old enough to run your own life. You don't have to follow anyone's rules, especially someone with no rights over you. I'm sorry if that hurts. I guess I shouldn't have mentioned your real father, I apologize for that."
I stared at him as understanding flowed through me. Alec may be centuries old but he had no more understanding of family than a child.
"You really have no idea what family is all about do you? It's the people who love and protect you despite the risk or hardships it brings them. Your father fought for you and you remember that. Your mother turned her back on you and I heard it in your voice, you despised her for that.
My real father, as you call him, tried to persuade my mom to get rid of me before I was even born. He threw her down the stairs trying to kill me and then when I was born, he threw me out like garbage to die."
Alec put his hands up in surrender but I wasn't finished yet.
"The Major as you call him fought off a guardian and almost got his head ripped off protecting me, a helpless baby. He raised me on his own for two years when he didn't have to and he loves me. As far as I'm concerned that gives him the right to be called my dad and for me to see him as such. Now, I'm going back and I'd appreciate it if you left me alone."
He apologized and tried to stop me but I just threw him a look and seeing the menace in it he backed off. I wasn't sure how I felt right now just that I wanted to be as far away from him as possible. At least it would prevent me from doing something I would regret later.
Once back at the citadel I went straight to my room hoping I wouldn't bump into anyone, but of course, Murphy's law was alive and well and I ran straight into my mom in the corridor.
"Megan? Are you OK? What's wrong? Have you argued with Jane?"
I was so angry I couldn't speak so I just shook my head and darted past her into my room shutting the door firmly behind me.
She knocked a few times but I Ignored her and eventually, I heard her walk away. I knew she was upset and worried but I didn't feel like talking to anyone right now. My mind was spinning with conflicting thoughts.
Crashing down on my bed I flopped back and closed my eyes. What was it that had upset me so much?
I was pissed because Alec had tried telling me that my dad wasn't my dad. I loved him and despite sneaking around behind his back to see Alec I respected him as my father.
That's what it was, sure.
Except a little voice in my head started up, "Really? Are you sure about that Megan? Or are you upset because he asked you about Darius? You've done your best not to think about him but there's that nagging feeling in your brain. You lied to Alec. You let him believe that you felt sorry for Darius, and that's all it was but you lied.
I shook my head, nope. I did feel sorry for him. When I was little I felt his pain and I wanted to help him, to pay him back for helping to give me my mom back.
Really? Then why were you so upset when he didn't come back? When he didn't contact you? You're still waiting and hoping, aren't you?
Waiting for what? He's not coming back. He told me that and so did everyone else. He probably decided to join Sara.
The more I thought about it the more hopeless the situation seemed. Darius was dead or he had decided to just leave. Either way, he wasn't interested in me. So, what was I going to do? Wait like a pathetic little waif and stray living in hope and dying in despair? Or take life by the horns, accept what Alec was offering in way of a relationship and be happy? The choice was mine but why was it so hard?
I groaned and turned my face into the pillow putting my hands over my ears in a futile attempt to stop the voice in my head.
I wanted to scream but I knew that would bring either mom or dad running and they were the last people I wanted to see right now so I buried my face in the pillow and allowed the tears of frustration to flow.
When Mom came to see if I was OK later it seemed Jane had spoken to Alec and had covered for us.
"Jane asked how you were. She said that you were feeling tired. That you'd been working hard on some old parchments doing translation and it was really difficult work. I told her she shouldn't have asked you to do the work. Damaged documents are Marcus' area of expertise and I've seen some of them. Even I can hardly make out the words."
Feeling I should stick up for Jane under the circumstances I hurried to answer her.
"I wanted to help and it's good for me. It helps with my language skills. I guess I was concentrating so hard I got a headache, but it's better now."
"Good, because Carlisle and Esme have invited us to join them for the evening. Alice will be there too. Do you feel up to it? We should remember that you are still part human and have your weaknesses. I've already told Jane that you are taking the next couple of days off. Dad and I have a trip to Pisa planned for the three of us and we fly back this weekend."
I tried not to let my relief show. Right now being away from Volterra and Alec, having time to think, sounded like a great idea. I just couldn't face him again until I knew how I felt and where we stood.
