Chapter Seventy Three

Megan

It had been a relief to be free of Alec although he had made it clear that he would be my first official visitor. And that I was to hold my tongue about Darius unless I wanted Alec to make me a gift of parts of his anatomy.

Scared for Darius' welfare I had been very careful not to mention anything when Marcus came, along with Sulpicia and Chelsea, to greet me and tell me what my punishment for putting the vampires at risk was to be.

A couple of weeks held in solitary confinement wasn't the worst thing that could happen to me. Especially when Marcus, thinking he was punishing me further, insisted that I was to be denied Alec's presence too during this time.

As long as I used this time wisely to consider my wrongdoings and accept that I must be much more careful among the humans I would then be free to move around within the citadel so long as I was escorted. Again, it was something I could live with. After all, I knew that I deserved to be punished. Both for my stupidity and for the way I had treated my parents.

Unfortunately, Alec had somehow persuaded Marcus that the best thing would be for him to become my guardian in Volterra. The really frustrating thing was that I had been informed that I would not be allowed outside the citadel walls until the council deemed it prudent to allow me that freedom. So, I could be stuck with him for a very long time.

I used my time wisely, thinking about how I was going to discover where Alec was holding Darius just in case my dad couldn't. I ran through my gifts to see if any of them could help me. My shield would protect me and Darius if I could find him but was of no help until then, empathy was no help right now either. I didn't care how Alec felt, I wanted him to be miserable, but that wasn't an option either.

T had my grandfather's compassion but that was worse than useless at this point so what else did I have? I had picked up some of my real father's mind-reading ability but it was patchy and becoming more so as I matured, maybe because I had hated it for what it represented as I came to understand just how horrible my real father had been.

Emotions made it more difficult to read individual thoughts, it was like static on a radio station and being around Alec just made me angrier and angrier. I couldn't begin to explain just how much I hated him right now.

I guess I could have used Jane's gift on him, the idea of watching him squirming on the ground in agony held a certain appeal, but somehow I doubted he would give up his secret and someone was sure to hear the commotion and come running. I'd probably be accused of losing control, again and who knew what my punishment might be then?

I couldn't use Corin's gift because I didn't understand it. No one had explained it to me and without some idea of what she could do I was unable to wield such a gift.

I guess I could have used Chelsea's gift to break the emotional bonds between Alec and his sister but right now he was so focused on me that I doubted he would even notice and if he did he probably wouldn't care.

That left only two, those of Afton and Aro's which would be the most useful but when I had tried it before when I saw Alec briefly on my arrival I had been somewhat confused. Alec had indeed arranged Darius' kidnap but he was not aware of his present whereabouts. It Seemed he had several accomplices and it was they who were holding Darius close enough for Alec's gift to affect him but Alec didn't know where exactly.

I had my suspicions that he was covering his back so if I tried to accuse him before the council he could in all innocence tell then that he had no idea where Darius was. Unfortunately, he was still one of the most trusted of the Volturi guards so he was likely to be believed before me and he only had to say the word and Darius was dead. A word he could give before I could stop him if he suspected anything. He'd already made that very clear to me.

So, I would have to use Afton's gift to do some snooping. I had a few hours clear every day, between breakfast and lunch and again between lunch and dinner. Luckily I had the key to my suite so I could lock it if I wanted to be alone and for the first two days, that's exactly what I did establishing a routine. I acted embarrassed and contrite when Heidi or Renata brought me my meals and told them that I wanted time alone to consider what I had done and to work on learning control.

If someone did come in while I was away then I would be in big trouble and faced with a lot of questions I could not and would not answer but I had to take the chance. I had to see if there was anything in Alec's quarters to tell me where he was keeping Darius, a contact number or a note, anything.

Not until the third afternoon did I sneak out under the cloak of Afton's invisibility. It was easy enough to manoeuvre and I knew my way around the citadel pretty well after my last visit.

It felt strange being in Alec's rooms without him. I knew what I was doing was wrong and if I was discovered the consequences could be very serious but he'd left me with little alternative.

I stood in the center of his room and looked around. Where would he be likely to keep anything private? He knew that what he was doing was wrong by any standards so he wouldn't leave anything incriminating hanging around in the open so…

I checked the drawers in his desk but found nothing interesting except the proof that he was well off financially and spent a lot of money on clothes although it didn't show.

Turning on his laptop I found myself staring at a picture of myself and recognized it as one that has been taken during happier times. Before I discovered what an asshole Alec really was.

The cursor flashed demanding a password so taking a deep breath I tried my name but that didn't work. I then tried my birthday and voila, I was in. You are so predictable Alec!

It was surprisingly uncluttered, very few files in documents or even hidden but I did find one that was interesting. Alec had given it a high level of security but with Darius' computer skills I soon hacked my way in.

I had to laugh, it was pathetic and juvenile. Alec's diary which told of his hopes for us and his heartbreak when he had been forced to turn me away. Oh yeah? Well, that's not the way I remembered it! He then went on to say how everyone rallied around him in his time of need and how he had finally found a way to 'win' me back. Win? Well, that was one way of putting it!

He had written down his plan of action, How capturing Darius and keeping him a prisoner of his gift would be the way back to me. I scanned paragraph after paragraph of self-serving drivel and heartache looking for clues but he never mentioned the names of any of his helpers or where he intended holding Darius.

I cussed as I realized I was running out of time and shut down the computer making sure that I erased any clue that I had been shopping in and made my way back to my suite being sure to watch out for Alec or Jane. I wouldn't put it past him to rope his sister into helping him watch over me.

I had just locked myself back in and pulled on some sweats before grabbing a book and throwing myself on the couch when there was a tap on my door. I jumped up and walked slowly to the door unlocking it and peered out to see Alec standing there. The blood in my veins turned to ice as he pushed his way in and grabbed me pulling me close smiling triumphantly as he did so.

"Megan."

He kissed me but as we were alone I didn't feel I had to even pretend I was interested and I pushed him away.

Scowling he shook his head slowly, "Now, let's try that again, shall we? You need to practice if you're going to keep your precious friend safe. And that is why you're here, isn't it?"

I nodded sullenly and walked into his outstretched arms.

"You may hold all the cards Alec but don't for one second imagine that I will ever do more than loathe you."

He pulled me closer to whisper in my ear. "I don't really care, Meg, so long as you keep up appearances and do exactly what I tell you. Exactly what I tell you. Do you understand? And don't think you or your precious parents are ever going to find your friend. I made a mistake centuries ago but I'm a fast learner and I won't make that mistake again."

"You have no intentions of ever letting Darius free, do you?"

His grip on my arms became tight enough to make me gasp in pain.

"Lesson one, do not mention that name in my presence, ever. Of course, I intend letting him go eventually if you give me a reason to. In the meantime be nice and I'll let him live, in one piece."

I looked into his eyes and saw cruelty and spite along with sick covetousness.

"Right, well I guess I should leave you to your meal. By the way, I would prefer it if you gave up on the human filth. I'd like my mate to live on blood like me so maybe you could pass that on to whoever arranges your meals."

He stepped back letting my arms go and I hugged them to me wincing as the blood supply which has been restricted suddenly rushed in and made them ache violently.

Surveying me he made a face, "Ask for some new clothes too. You used to make an effort before. I want to see you in something more feminine and do something with your hair, it looks like a horse's mane right now."

He gave a sarcastic bow and swept out leaving the door open in his wake and I had to resist the urge to throw something at his retreating back. One way or another I was going to find Darius and then I was going to ram my fist straight down Alec's throat before throwing him to the wolves on the council.

I picked up my iPod and checked, just as I intended, it had recorded everything Alec had said to me. Give a fool enough rope and he would hang himself sooner or later. I could go to the council now but that would be to risk Darius so I would wait awhile. I just had to discover where he was being held.

When my dinner arrived it was Felix who carried it and I wondered what this meant. I still remembered his words in the car and puzzled at their meaning.

Instead of putting the tray down and leaving immediately he leaned against the wall staring out of the window onto the courtyard below.

"Alec sneaked in to see you, but you don't look as if you enjoyed his company."

I took a mouthful of pasta, food sent in from one of the cafes in the square, to save myself from needing to answer him and he grinned as if he understood.

"How would you like to get out of here for a while? Do a little exploring."

I looked up at him suddenly interested.

"Out? I thought I was confined to barracks?"

He shrugged, "Well, let's just say I won't tell anyone if you don't."

I frowned, "But what if someone sees me?"

"It will be very quiet this afternoon. There is a delegation from Romania looking for help and then, well Heidi has been out on a fishing trip so everyone will be otherwise engaged in the banquet."

I thought about this, why would Felix risk taking me out without permission? The answer to that was, he probably wouldn't off his own back, but just who was he taking his orders from?

Deciding I had nothing to lose and I felt that Felix meant me no harm I nodded.

"OK. Where are we going?"

He shrugged, it seemed his answer of choice then grinned which made him look far less intimidating.

"Well, you aren't allowed out of the citadel yet so we won't break more than one rule."

I couldn't help grinning back, the thought of getting out of here was such a relief especially after Alec's visit.

"I'll be back in about an hour. You might need a jacket."

Before I could ask him why if we weren't going outside, he was gone.

I had forgotten to ask for blood instead of human meals but thought it could wait, a little rebellion was the best I could do for now and any victory made me feel better.

I just wished I had my phone or access to the internet so I could contact my parents or even grandparents but Marcus had ensured my phone was confiscated and there was no computer in my suite.

It was strange, but apart from the lack of contact with those I loved, I hadn't missed the technology. Instead, I'd made good use of the bookcases that were stocked with a wide variety of books and the CD collection although that was a little staid for my tastes. There was even a TV although it had no signal and could only be used with the DVD player and assortment of discs, mainly adventure and romance. I don't know who had furnished my prison but it was comfortable enough not to appear to be such.

I missed my parents, my dad especially at the moment, and decided to write them a letter, surely that wouldn't be forbidden by the Volturi. I was still thinking about the dark labyrinth of passages I was heading into tomorrow. If I got lost or something happened then I wanted them both to know that I loved them very much and was grateful for all they had done for me. I would have to be careful not to let anything slip just in case my letter was opened before being sent. I could just see Alec pouring over it and shuddered thinking to myself, if anything happens to me dad, make him pay, save Darius and make Alec pay for what he's done.