Chapter Twenty Nine

Carlisle

I couldn't believe how upset Esme had been on learning of my little deception or how much it had affected our relationship. After all, it had been none of her business. It hadn't concerned her or made any difference to our life together. True it had occasionally driven our moves but wherever we went I ensured she had everything she needed to keep her content. As for Rosalie and Emmett, I had suggested to Esme that our enforced trip to Volterra had been a misunderstanding caused by Edward's insistence on dating a human but she wouldn't hear of it. She still held to the old fashioned idea that the truth was always the best path.

I had refused to talk to them about it under those conditions so Esme spoke to them alone and accepted their decision to leave Italy although it hurt her deeply.

"What did you expect? Rosalie is terrified of the Volturi for some reason and Emmett would never force her to do anything that would make her unhappy. Personally, I think they are misguided, they could have a good life here. Aro was willing to give them a suite of rooms and an allowance so they could travel as much as they wanted."

"You mean that Aro was willing to bribe them to stay, Carlisle. I'm sure it was your idea or done to keep you happy. He's not interested in them and we could never live as a family in the citadel. Rose wants a life, a real life out in the world and I know Emmett will look after her. Maybe they will visit from time to time or I can visit them."

I gave her a sharp look, "I'm not sure that will be possible, at least for some time, Esme. Under the circumstances, I feel it will be expected that I stay in Volterra."

She looked at me coolly, "Yes, Carlisle. You will be expected to stay, but I'm not a prisoner here."

"I am a resident, not a prisoner, Esme", I snapped angrily.

"Call it what you will, Carlisle. We both know the truth."

I hadn't been allowed to see Edward either which was very upsetting. He must be very anxious here in Volterra away from everyone he knew and loved. Yet when I asked Aro if it might be possible he just smiled.

"All in good time, Carlisle. First I think Edward needs to learn a lesson in loyalty. He will be staying with the other members of the guard and helping them with some small chores. Don't worry yourself, old friend. You'll see him soon enough.

I think in the meantime it would be good for you to work in the archives with Marcus. We have an extensive section on medicine that has been added to since you last resided here. It should be catalogued and who knows, you might even write that book on medicine through the ages that you talked about when you lived with us."

I wanted to inquire about Caius' fate but didn't feel it would be wise so I had to wait to hear news from Esme who had become friends with both Sulpicia and Athena.

She came back to our suite quite late one evening after a visit to the wives tower full of information.

"I thought Aro was going to send Caius away immediately but it appears he is still here. Athena is livid, she can't wait to see him kicked out. I never realized that the mating pull could be broken but she really despises her husband. Sulpicia thinks she has her eye on someone else although she's being very quiet about it if so."

"Isn't it a little soon? As you say he hasn't even left yet."

I disapproved of the indecent haste Athena was showing to be rid of her husband.

"Actually, no, I don't blame her. Not after the things I've heard that Caius used to get up to. How can he say he loves her when he chases after anything female that gets close enough to be approached. Did you hear the full story of the girl he killed? The one who caused his downfall? It's so tragic."

I nodded impatiently, "Of course. I heard the story many years ago. He made a mistake and paid the price. A fatally high one as it turned out."

Esme's eyes narrowed, she did not see things the way I did and was making it obvious that disapproved of my attitude.

"Do you think his subsequent womanizing in Volterra, under Athena's very nose, was something his wife should have accepted? You are beginning to sound like one of the Tudor kings. Women should keep their mouths shut and endure when their husbands take mistresses. Is that how you really feel, Carlisle? If so I'm amazed you haven't taken a few for yourself or were you just more discreet than your friend Caius?"

"Of course not, Esme. I would never betray our love. I was just pointing out that he has paid a high price."

Esme smiled grimly, "Not as high as the one he's going to be paying. Sulpicia maintains that Aro is only keeping Caius here in order to give Darius, the murdered woman's husband time to discover what has happened and get into position.

She said Caius is terrified. He begged Aro to allow him to stay and then when that was refused to let him go straight away. I guess he knows what's in store for him when he finally gets booted out."

I couldn't believe the attitude of my normally kind and gentle wife towards a man who was being staked out like a sacrificial victim, but I didn't comment further. She had become more outspoken and worldly since moving here. It was a shame but there was nothing I could do about it. I was convinced it was the result of spending so much time with the other wives but I could hardly bar her from doing so. I suppose I should be grateful that her love for me had been strong enough to stand by me.

Edward

Life in Volterra was not what I had expected. Sure I was going to be rapped across the knuckles for the trouble with Bella but I knew I was safe from any permanent reprisals. Aro had always wanted me to join the other gifted members of the guard who were treated as the valuable assets that they were.

A few days alone in a spartan suite of rooms was to be expected and I kept myself amused reading the thoughts of those travelling past in the corridor thereby learning what was going on in the citadel. It appeared that Carlisle got off quite lightly along with Esme, Rose and Emmett. I didn't think Aro would have any use for my 'siblings'. After all, they already had a honey trap in Heidi and plenty of muscle.

It was comforting to discover that Carlisle and Esme would be staying too. I was sure Esme would find company among the wives leaving Carlisle and me to follow our own interests, although it had been made clear to me that I was in solitary confinement for the moment. It was rather like sending a child to its room for being naughty and I looked on it as such, with muted amusement.

In the event, it was three weeks before I saw anyone of any interest. People I didn't know had been in and out with my allowance of blood, books and CD's that I requested but they didn't speak and I was becoming bored by the time the door opened to reveal Felix.

"The council wants to speak to you. This way."

I followed him along the seemingly endless corridors trying to read his thoughts but it was almost impossible. It was as if he had a constant flow of white noise running through his head which frustrated my attempt.

Stopping before a huge oak door he turned and smiled, "Frustrated? I learned to keep vermin like you out of my head centuries ago. You would do well to remember that people here don't like snoops, they have a habit of meeting with accidents. In you go."

He opened the door and shoved me forward causing me to make a less than elegant entry into the room then shut it behind me.

I glanced around at the small group of people facing me, Aro, Marcus, Sulpicia, Athenadora and Chelsea. No one smiled or spoke but Aro gestured for me to take the seat positioned before their table.

Marcus leaned forward, his huge forbidding bulk making me feel uneasy. I could hear many thoughts in the room and none were friendly.

"Are you going to read our minds or shall I speak?"

"I..No, please go on."

It didn't take long to ruin all my great plans to become a valued member of the inner circle. Instead, I was on probation as a lowly guard to be housed with the others in a communal barracks in the catacombs for an undefined period of time.

"If you can prove to the council that you can be trusted then in time we may revise our decision."

"May I speak in my defense?"

He leaned back with a cold smile, "Please do."

"I know it was wrong to keep Bella's existence from the Volturi once we knew she was gifted but she was never a threat to us. Bella was just a girl, she didn't even understand her gift let alone know how to use it and it isn't a weapon. I was the one who let her go, I lied to Carlisle and I'm not proud of that. I just don't think I deserve to be thrown on the scrapheap because of it. I don't belong with the thugs you use to terrify offending nomads. I'm not a fighter. It would be a waste of a valuable asset."

"You think very highly of yourself Edward Cullen. You set yourself above those who rule your world and you deceived the man who treated you like a son. What does that say about you?

You had no idea how powerful the girl was or is. It is not for you to decide what should be done and you could have been responsible for serious consequences.

That is not to mention your dalliance with a human that led to her discovering our existence which is in itself an offense that carries the death penalty. I think you should be grateful we have spared your life. Maybe this will enable you to learn a little humility, not to mention loyalty."

Aro waited until Marcus had finished before speaking and his face wore an expression of mild amusement. He was entertained by the fact I had found a dressing down from a lesser member of the council to be an insult. If there was any dressing down to be given I would have expected it to come from the top.

As if he could read my mind remotely he smiled, "Do not assume that you understand how the Volturi works, Edward. Despite appearances, everyone on the council has equal powers and I expect that you will treat us all with the same respect.

That having been said, I hope you understand just how precarious your position is right now. For breaking our laws you could be executed and the fact that we have stayed our hand is not down to any desire to keep your gift for the Volturi. You have Carlisle to thank for your continued existence. It is as an acknowledgement of his friendship and long service that we did so. However, be in no doubt that should you show any further contempt of our laws or disloyalty things will change and not to your advantage."

I was seething with annoyance and embarrassment at this dressing down in front of everyone who mattered in Volterra.

"Is this understood, Edward?"

I nodded but he waited until I said the words, "I understand."

"Good. Then there will be no misunderstandings. We do have a task for you."

I tensed hoping it wouldn't be something so mundane it would be insulting.

"Caius will be leaving the citadel in a couple of days and I would like you to accompany him."

That didn't sound so bad, at least it gave me some responsibility.

"He will be driven from Volterra to Pisa along with any possessions he chooses to take with him. He has purchased a plane ticket to Athens and you will be responsible for ensuring that he catches his flight."

"No problems. I assume we can take a car from the pool?"

"Don't worry about that. Jane will be arranging that. She will be your shadow for the foreseeable future. Until the council decides that you are competent and trustworthy. Now, I think that is everything."

He looked around at the others who nodded in agreement.

"Good. Jane is waiting outside to escort you to your new accommodation and will fill you in on your duties. You may go."

It was a dismissal but I hesitated, "Will I be allowed to see Carlisle?"

"All in good time."

I had to be content with that and left to find Jane waiting as promised, a bored look on her face.

"I thought you would never come out. Follow me, I'll show you to your quarters and we can go through the rules."

I frowned, "Rules?"

She turned to gaze at me, "Yes, Edward, rules. I thought the council explained that you are under my guidance and that means you follow my rules."

I cursed under my breath. Jane looked as if she was going to make the most of her power over me. I could already hear some of the degrading tasks she had set out for me in her thoughts. Reorganizing the filing system used by the members of the guard, joining in with the training given to new recruits, night patrols around the citadel, indexing all sightings of Children of the Moon made over the past century. The fun had just begun, for her!

I had to find a way of communicating with Carlisle. I had no idea how he had fared although I did hear that Rosalie and Emmett had been allowed to leave so it couldn't have been that bad. I also wanted to know what had happened to Bella although I would have to be very careful. If Aro discovered that I was inquiring about her welfare I would find myself in even more trouble.

After a couple of days of mind-numbingly boring filing, I was tasked with taking some files to Sulpicia and discovered that Esme was with her. It didn't take long to discover that unlike me, Carlisle had gotten off with a slap on the wrist and was now enjoying researching for a new book in the archives. Esme was happy although she missed the others. I was given a polite nod but I could hear her thoughts, she blamed me for this mess which was unfair but there was no good trying to talk to her, not with Sulpicia around. I wasn't even sure I could trust her not to tell someone if I did.

I hoped to find an excuse to visit the archives but instead, I was tied up with arranging all the paperwork for Caius' departure. He needed a passport and all the relevant paperwork so he could travel among the humans although if rumors were correct he wouldn't last long beyond the protection of the citadel and when I finally saw him as we prepared to leave it was clear that he was terrified.

Jane ordered me to drive and we made good time to the airport although Caius didn't expect to make it that far. He was sure his nemesis Darius was going to pop up and snatch him any second. I'd had my orders if Darius appeared during our journey I was to stop the car and return to the citadel on foot. Under no circumstances was I to attempt to intervene or to protect Caius. It all seemed a bit cold-blooded to me, hanging a man who had been an integral part of the Volturi for centuries out to dry, but I knew better than to question orders.

As it was we made it to the airport without any problems and after a short wait, Caius' flight was called. He hadn't spoken a word since leaving Volterra and merely took his documents and boarding pass from Jane and walked away. He was wondering if Darius might blow up the plane although I thought that highly unlikely. If the guy wanted revenge that badly he would want to look his target in the eye when he did so. I was sure Caius would be safe enough until his plane touched down in Athens. After that was anyone's guess.

I envied him his freedom and wanted to catch up to him and fly with him. Anything would be better than life in the citadel but I knew that was out of the question, The council had made it perfectly clear what would happen if I stepped out of line and despite my present existence I had no wish to die.