Chapter Eighty One
Darius
Now Megan was out of the way I felt easier in my mind. I hadn't wanted her to witness what was about to happen because it was going to be brutal and that was a side of me that I wanted to shield her from. I didn't know how the council would decide but one thing I was completely sure of, Alec Volturi would not leave this chamber alive. The last time he had the might of Aro and his brothers behind him but this time... This time no one was going to stop me from having my revenge.
Alec and his sister were huddled together, no doubt trying to find a way of getting around the council's stricture against either of them using their gifts. Would Marcus and Sulpicia turn a blind eye if they did? Something told me not. I had the feeling that with Aro gone they were trying to reboot the Volturi image which was not a bad thing. It had started out with the greatest of aims, to make the world safe for our kind, but it had become corrupted along the way, mainly by Aro himself it must be said. This new Volturi might find it had more trust if it was seen to be fair and just.
The crowd crammed into the chamber was being slowly pushed to the sides to make space for a fighting arena. No one was going to miss this even if it meant being rammed against the walls and having to stand on tiptoe to see the fight. Personally I didn't care for the spectacle but I would ignore the onlookers although I wondered if Alec would be able to do the same.
The chairs and the low dais had also been moved and the chairs placed back on it at a safe vantage point.
Sulpicia and Marcus stood talking to Felix, Chelsea, and Santiago who were nodding and then moved to take up position around the edge of the cleared area.
Then Marcus turned to look at Alec.
"Are you prepared?"
Alec was stiff with tension but his face had become a blank mask and I wondered how much of an effort it was not to let his fear show.
"I still say this is unfair and irregular."
"Your complaints have been noted but the challenge has been thrown down and unless you can prove beyond any doubt that you are innocent and that Darius or Megan have framed you for the crimes you are accused of, it stands."
"I thought you were innocent until proven guilty in law."
All eyes turned to Jane who was standing at her brother's side as she spoke.
"You would prefer to use the human justice system? I think in those circumstances that your brother would already have been found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Remember this is not the first time he has been accused of this particular crime and against the same victim. If Alec chooses to admit his guilt then we can go straight to sentencing. Is that how you wish this trial to continue, Alec?"
Alec shook his head and motioned for his sister to be quiet.
"No. I'm ready, but when this is over I wish it to be known that I will remain a loyal member of the Volturi."
Marcus raised an eyebrow, "When it's over? I don't think you quite understand Alec. When this is over only one person will be standing. If you are that man then, of course, you will keep your place in the Volturi. If however, you are not then I suspect you will be of no further use to anyone. Unless that is Darius has gone soft over the centuries."
Alec shook his head, his eyes darted swiftly from one council member to another.
"You really intend to allow this fight to go on to the death? That's crazy. You need me, you need my gift. I'm important, valuable to the Volturi. He isn't."
Alec gestured contemptuously in my direction which was the last straw for me. My patience was exhausted with this asshole and without waiting for any formalities I sprang catching him off guard and knocking him into the crowd of spectators who immediately tossed him back to the center of the arena.
I could have killed him easily even with one hand. Alec was no fighter, for centuries he had relied on his gift to keep him safe. He had no idea how to protect himself from someone with the most basic of fighting skills and against me, he stood no chance at all, even one-handed as I was.
As it was, I wanted him to suffer, to show the rest of the Volturi what a weak and pathetic creature he really was once confronted by an enemy without the ability to use his gift to protect himself.
It wasn't long before he was trying to hide, crashing into the now excited crowd baying for his blood who threw him straight back to me. The very effort of landing punch after punch, slam after slam and breaking limbs only for them to reknit almost instantly helped relieve the enormous tension that had filled my body to bursting.
I could see that Marcus was watching the encounter closely although he appeared to be bored while Sulpicia was genuinely excited. I got the feeling she thought this was long overdue. Aro may have taken Alec under his wing and treated him and his sister as surrogate children but his liking for them was not widely held. I'd heard much over the centuries, enough to know that neither was well-liked and of the two, Alec was the least popular.
Eventually, as the floor became slick with spilled venom I decided I'd had enough and slammed Alec down on the floor straddling his chest while holding his arms against the polished stone floor with my knees.
I was ready to rip his head off but first I glanced up at Marcus wondering if he would intervene.
He stepped forward, "Well, Alec, it looks like your guilt is now proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Darius, the convicted is all yours."
Relieved I pressed down on the young man's chest with my knee and took his head between my good hand and the arm missing its accompanying hand ready to wrench it off and deaf to the screams and pleas of his hysterical sister and the roars of approval from most of the onlookers.
Suddenly it seemed all too easy. I wanted Alec to continue to suffer for a very long time while not becoming a danger in the future to me or mine.
I tensed my muscles and yanked hard, feeling the give as Alec's head detached from his neck as he screamed and begged for his life.
Standing up I held his head for all to see then threw it to the ground and the onlookers fell silent wondering what I was going to do next.
Jane scrambled to her feet and ran towards her brother hoping to aid him but was held back by Chelsea and Felix.
Reaching into my pants pocket I pulled out a lighter and flicked it, staring at the flame which danced hungrily.
"No, please Darius, don't do it. I beg you."
I ignored Janes screams and knelt down turning Alec's head until he was looking directly at his body then calmly and deliberately set the flame to his clothes watching in satisfaction as the flames licked around his clothes before suddenly igniting into a huge fire devouring the body in seconds and filling the chamber with strange flickering light and the smell of burning vampire flesh while the purple smoke coiled up to the high ceiling trapped by the glass dome that sat atop the huge columns giving light to the otherwise windowless room.
When the flames died I kicked the remaining ashes to cover Alec's head in a fine covering then picked up the head, it's eyes wide with horror and the mouth open in a soundless scream.
Walking over to Marcus I held out the head to him.
"I believe this is yours. I know his gift is useful so you might want to keep him in a cupboard somewhere just in case. The only understanding I need from you is that he will never be allowed to commandeer another body. He must stay as he is in your care and no one other than you or Sulpicia can have any access to him. Especially not his sister. If you break this understanding I will come back and the next time Alec will not be my only target. Do we have an understanding?"
Marcus nodded his agreement without hesitation and held out his hand taking the head before stretching out the other to take my hand.
"We do."
I turned to Sulpicia who also nodded and put her hand over ours as a sign that she accepted my conditions. I trusted them to keep to this deal especially as they were attempting to clean up the Volturi's reputation since Caius and Aro died and I had a whole heap of witnesses in the room.
I could finally look forward knowing I had taken my revenge and now I couldn't wait to be reunited with Megan and her father.
Megan
I knew the wait was going to be long and desperately worrying but there was nothing I could do about it so I followed my dad and Peter back to my suite in the tower. I hadn't really thought about the future, just finding and freeing Darius but now that was accomplished I wanted to be with him and go home to see my mom. I missed her so much once I had time to think about it and I owed her one hell of an apology for the way I had acted even if she and dad did understand as he had tried to reassure me.
As I opened the door I was surprised to see someone standing in the window looking out. I hadn't expected that and when she turned and I recognized my mom I ran into her arms hugging her and babbling incoherently.
She wrapped her arms around me and kissed the top of my head, "Hush, everything is OK now. It's over."
Pulling back I looked up at her familiar face through tear-dimmed eyes.
"Mom, I am so sorry for everything. I missed you so much."
"I missed you too so as soon as Sulpicia called I hopped on a plane. She told me what had happened and I knew I had to be here."
Looking over my head she smiled at dad, "I missed you too."
I turned just in time to see one of his beautiful smiles and noticed the love in his eyes. My parents adored each other and I hoped that I would find the same kind of love and devotion that they shared.
As mom let go of me to join him Uncle Peter came over looking very put out.
"How come no one gives me such a warm welcome? Anyone would think I'm not wanted. How about it Megan? Do you have a hug for your old uncle?"
I did. I was grateful he had accompanied my dad especially as normally you couldn't get him within a thousand miles of the Volturi.
I think I surprised him with my hug, but he responded by hugging me back then stepped away.
"You had us worried there for a while Megan. Do not pull any shit like that again, you gave me gray hairs."
Looking at his dark brown hair I doubted that but I could feel his words were sincere. He had been worried about me, they all had. I was so lucky to have such a family around me.
Once we had all said hi and sat down I told my story, some of which none of them had heard before. I knew everyone in the room was more than willing to kill Alec for what he had done but they were too late. I knew that whatever happened Darius would make sure he paid dearly for his treachery. I just hope he wouldn't have to make the ultimate sacrifice in doing so.
I still didn't know where I stood with him. I knew he liked me, well more than liked, but had he gotten over Sara enough to let her memory go and start over. I wasn't sure I could cope with rejection from him but until he finished his business all I could do was to wait and yearn for him.
Something occurred to me then and I turned to my dad, "What will happen if Alec refuses to tell Darius where his hand is? Can he fuse another onto his wrist or will he be maimed for life?"
Dad glanced at Peter then shrugged, "I guess he could get another although finding a willing donor might be difficult."
"He could always take one of Alec's before he kills the little fucker."
I felt sick at the thought of Alec's hand on Darius' arm but Peter had a point. Who would be willing to lose a hand?
"We should go look for it."
"And where exactly do you suggest we start? This place is like a fucking rabbit warren. He could have hidden it anywhere or even burned it."
I was horrified at that idea and made for the door, "We have to try, I know it's not in Alec's rooms, I searched them but maybe he gave it to Jane to hide for him. No, that can't be right because she didn't seem to know what was going on. She would have been much more involved if she did."
I paced the room trying to think of all the places Alec might have hidden it, anywhere isolated or secret or maybe somewhere significant to us. Yes, he would have enjoyed hiding it somewhere that was special to him and I. But where?
I ran through the times we had been together here in Volterra, in the citadel, trying to find somewhere that was special but I couldn't think of a single place. Then it hit me, the one place ALec and I had enjoyed much time alone together.
"I have to go into the town, I think I know where he might have hidden it."
Mom shook her head, "I'm not sure you can leave yet."
"I'm going, besides who is around to stop me? Everyone is busy watching the fight. I have to go."
Peter nodded, "She's right. Once the fucking circus is over the Volturi will be all over us like flies on horse shit. I'll go with her if you like."
Mom jumped up, "We'll all go. I'm not letting Megan out of my sight again."
"Someone should stay behind to let them know where Megan has gone. We don't want them thinking she's done a runner."
Mom looked at Dad, "Then you stay. I've been separated from my daughter for too long."
Dad sighed then nodded, "I should talk to Darius anyhow. Just don't be too long and Peter…"
Peter glanced over, "I know, keep my eyes peeled and keep these two out of trouble. Got it, Major."
I ran over and gave my dad a kiss then followed the other two out of the door praying that I was right.
I know how scary it is out there right now and I want you to know that I'm thinking of you all and hoping my chapters will give you all a few minutes respite from it all. Stay safe. Love Jules xx
