Chapter Seventy Eight
Megan
I only just beat Alec to Darius. As I turned a corner I found the chamber, recognizing the sarcophagus that stood in the center of the otherwise bare room.
As I was about to move forward I heard footsteps and recognized the voices. There was no time to bring Darius back from his coma-like state but there was time to slip back into the shadows in the corridor beyond and pull my shield around me.
I had tried experimenting with my mom's shield once I acquired it but it hadn't been easy to control. I guess necessity gave me the impetus I needed because I saw the two of them stop and peer into the chamber with no hint that they were aware of my presence.
I waited until they stepped inside then slipped in behind them and waited to see exactly what Alec intended doing. Had he decided to act because of my attitude towards him? He must have been in contact with whoever had placed Darius here because he hadn't known the exact location when I checked his thoughts. Could he already be aware that I was missing? Did he intend killing Darius if he thought I might be hunting for him? Or was this sheer spite on his part? Either way, he was out of luck because I was here and I would do whatever it took to protect the defenceless man laying in that sarcophagus.
Like the other gifts I had acquired I had never really tried using Alec's, but now seemed a great time to start knowing I could always fall back on my dad's which I was comfortable with or pull up my shield once more to protect Darius
and myself.
I concentrated on the two figures before me and felt a stirring in my mind as if a snake were slowly awakening from slumber and uncoiling its body ready to strike.
When I heard Alec's words I couldn't help myself, I blurted out a reply even managing to be amused by the swift about-turn they made and the shock on their faces.
I saw Jane's eyes darken and knew she was using her gift on me but I didn't feel a thing. Instead, I sent my serpent, it made it easier to control this gift if I visualized it as a snake, after my adversaries and watched as their faces turned blank and they fell to the floor as if their bones had suddenly turned to jello.
Smiling grimly I approached cautiously and kicked Alec hard with the toe of my boot. He didn't stir, neither did Jane when I poked her too, a lot harder. It had worked, I had mastered Alec's gift and now it was safe to concentrate on Darius.
Looking down on his still body I felt my heart beat faster and reached out to touch his cheek with my hand. He looked so vulnerable and tragic laying there and I longed for him to open his eyes and smile up at me but I didn't know how to wake him. I guess I had imagined that once Alec was trapped within himself his influence over Darius would be broken and Darius would awaken but he just lay there.
Unable to stop myself I leaned in and kissed his cheek, the feel of cold stone so alien. What would I do if he didn't wake up? Was Alec the only person who could awaken him? No, that couldn't be right because Alec would never wake him for me. But maybe if Alec could, then so could I.
I relit the oil lamp to give me more light and placed it on the edge of the stone ledge that ran around the sarcophagus then straightened up.
I wondered how Alec withdraws his influence from a victim. Did he just think OK you can wake up now? I tried that but to no avail.
Darius continued to lay there like an alabaster statue, an effigy on a church tomb.
I shook his shoulder and called his name but still, nothing happened and I felt panic begin to well up inside me. What if he never woke up? What if he remained trapped like this for eternity and I had no chance to tell him how I felt or see his smile and hear his voice again? I couldn't bear that thought and I yanked him up by the shoulders and shouted, shaking him almost hysterical now.
"Wake up. please. wake up Darius."
A sudden feeling of danger made me whirl around only to find that I was trapped in the chamber. Four of the Volturi guards stood at the entrance and behind them towering far above was Santiago.
He looked at Alec and Jane lying on the ground and I could see he was puzzled. Trying to work out how I could have attacked and bested the two of them.
Before I could say anything he gestured for the guards to attack and left me no choice but to defend myself. I closed my eyes and directed Jane's gift towards the guards, the chamber echoing with their screams and heavy thuds as they fell squirming in agony to the ground.
In my haste, I hadn't sent it out far enough and as a result, I missed Santiago who raced forward jumping over his comrades and roaring with anger.
Not sure I could cope with any more I glanced at him in panic only to see the most wonderful sight. My dad and Uncle Peter appeared in the doorway behind him and seeing Santiago they pounced giving me a breathing space.
I decided they could cope with the four guards too and released them, concentrating my efforts towards Alec and Jane as the two biggest threats to us all if I released them.
What I really wanted to do was to curl up over Darius and protect him with my shield but I had to stay in the game in case my gifts were needed. So, I put one hand on his chest and spoke to him quietly as I watched the savage fight going on in the chamber.
"Darius, listen. I really need you to wake up now."
I watched, hoping his eyes would move or there would be some sign that he had heard me but he lay silent and motionless and I felt my anger rising just like it had in the country club parking lot.
Spinning around I ran to Alec lifting him off the floor and dragged him over to the sarcophagus pulling him up so his head hung over the edge almost touching Darius' chest then pulled back my gift so he began to regain his senses.
"Let him go. You let him wake up, Alec."
Alec's eyes began to focus and he blinked looking at me for a moment before it registered who I was.
"Megan? What? Where?"
Then he turned his head and discovered just where he was. He jerked back from the sarcophagus and struggled to free himself from my grasp but I wasn't ready to let go yet. I kept my hold over him so he was too weak to break my grip.
It was then that he realized we were not alone. Peter had one guard pinned to the floor with a knee in his throat while another screamed in agony as his limbs were ripped off. In the corridor just outside the chamber, I could hear a whoosh and scream as my dad set one of his assailants on fire, the other lay in a heap of limbs ready for disposal.
I could see that he understood he was in big trouble, especially when he noticed Jane still unconscious on the floor.
"Megan, please. What's going on? What's wrong with me?"
"The same thing that's wrong with Darius and if you don't free him right now I'm going to make sure neither you nor your precious sister ever wake up again. Do you hear me?"
"Who? What?"
I shook him like a terrier with a rat between its teeth, "Do you understand me?"
He stared confusedly into my face, "How did this happen? Who is doing this to me?"
"You have one minute to get your shit together and wake Darius up or I swear I'll leave you in that coffin beside him for all eternity."
Jasper
We were just in time after a frantic dash through endless passageways with Peter cursing under his breath every few minutes as we came to yet another fork.
I skidded to a halt as I saw figures up ahead recognizing the huge one that loomed over the others as Santiago. They were crowded around the entrance to a cavern that was illuminated and I knew I'd found Megan. I could hear the racing of her heart and knew she was scared but also determined. Her gifts might be enough to save her but I wasn't prepared to take the chance and as the guards moved forward en masse I nodded to Peter and we charged.
It didn't take long to overpower the four guards, they were good but we were way better. Soon all four were mere smoking pyres that lit up the passage walls with grotesque shadows.
Santiago was still on his feet in the chamber confronting Megan who looked so small and vulnerable but try as he might he was not able to lay a hand on her or the semi-conscious figure of Alec Volturi who slumped over the stone box which I knew must hold Darius. Meg had turned Bella's shield on and secured herself, Darius and Alec within its protection.
She saw me and nodded, her face grave as she turned back to Alec and as Peter joined me I stepped forward to place myself between Santiago and my daughter.
"Back away now, Santiago."
He scowled at me frustrated by his inability to reach his target and shook his head.
"Get out of my way Major. She's a prisoner and I have my orders."
"I'm only going to say this once so listen good. Turn around and go back to the citadel. Tell Felix what's happening and get him and the other council members down here right away."
He opened his mouth to argue but something in my expression warned him that to do so would be a very bad idea. Instead, he hesitated to look from the dying flames still casting shadows on the passage wall opposite the doorway and Megan then back to me.
"Don't anyone go anywhere until I get back. Do I have your word on that Major?"
"You do."
He stared down at Jane who lay senseless on the ground.
"What about her?"
"What about her? She's safe for now and she isn't going anywhere but I can't say the same for Alec there."
I gestured to where Megan held Alec tightly by the throat, "I don't think my daughter's patience is endless so I suggest you hurry."
He nodded and took off at a run while Peter positioned himself in the doorway from where he could watch the passages in both directions.
"I'll watch your back, Major."
Nodding an acknowledgement I turned my attention to Jane who seemed to be in a coma.
"What did you do Meg?"
My daughter turned her head to look at me and I could see the fear and anger in her eyes.
"Just what Aec wanted to do to me and did to Darius."
I nodded, so she had Alec's gift worked out too. Good for her.
"Why don't you let me have a chat with Alec?"
I could tell she was close to losing it and if she did, well, we might never get Darius back if she killed Alec. Besides, I didn't want her to have to live with hurting or killing anyone, she was far too sensitive for that.
There was a moment I thought she might refuse, but then she relaxed a little and nodded, releasing her grip on the boy so he crashed to the ground dazed and disoriented.
I didn't give him time to gather his thoughts, just grasped him by the throat and lifted him up to stare into his face.
"I suggest that if you want to live and save your sister too you should seriously consider waking Darius up right now. Do you understand me?"
He tried to speak but couldn't form the words.
"Just nod, that'll be sufficient."
I eased my grip and he gulped eyes wide with fear but then I saw them narrow and knew what he had in mind. Before he could try using his gift on me I lifted his right arm and yanked hard.
He screamed as the flesh began to part at the shoulder joint.
"Last chance to do this the easy way."
"OK, OK, put me down."
I dropped him unceremoniously and he staggered only just remaining on his feet, his left hand supporting the injured right.
"Well? I'm running out of patience and I know Megan is too."
He threw his ex-girlfriend a fearful glance over his shoulder and realized I was right. Her face was a mask of fury and her eyes flashed dangerously.
He nodded and staggered over to the sarcophagus making a wide circle to avoid Megan's grasp and peered in. Closing his eyes he gritted his teeth and concentrated then stepped back.
"That's it. Give it a few minutes to disperse and he'll be fine. Can I go now?"
Peter snorted, "Fucking idiot. Do you think you're going to get off that easily? I reckon you'll be lucky not to lose your testicles for starters."
Alec stepped into the shadow of the corner and hunched his shoulders.
"Megan. I never hurt him, I never hurt anyone. I just wanted you back, that's all. Can't we just forget about all this, please? For old times sake?"
Meg who had been watching Darius for the first signs of consciousness didn't even look up.
"Dad, will you shut that whining fool up for me, please?"
"It will be my pleasure."
I put a finger to my lips and smiled maliciously.
"If I were you I'd keep my mouth firmly shut. If you don't then I'll have to do it for you. The council should be here soon and they can deal with you then. In the meantime sit down and shut the fuck up."
Alec opened his mouth to argue which was a really bad move because Peter moved in at that moment to tell us the council were coming and continued over to Alec punching him hard in the face and knocking him across the room to careen into the rock wall and bounce before falling to his butt.
"You heard the Major. Shut the fuck up before I rip out your tongue and shove it right up your ass."
Alec subsided as the running footsteps came ever closer, knowing he was in a whole world of trouble right now. The council would take a very dim view of his recent activities and I knew Megan would press them to punish him severely if she didn't just take matters into her own hands that is.
Still here and writing. Hope you are all still safe and healthy. Jules xx
.
