TWILIGHT : THE BLOOD INSIDE YOU IS THE BLOOD INSIDE ME
Chapter Eighteen
This is a fictional story based on the Twilight Series, of which I own neither part nor parcel. Just borrowing the Volturi temporarily. No references to the Cullen family, sorry. (I'm late to this fandom. I do research online since I haven't committed the films to memory, and hardly recall the books. So I'm sorry if canon is upended a little.)
Alice Cullen enjoys her time with Charlotte and the Volturi, for the most part and surprisingly so. Charlotte gives gifts to the Masters. Alice and Charlotte plot to get Aro and Carlisle together, a formidable task at best.
Aro/OC, Alice Cullen, Felix, Demetri, Marcus, Caius
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Charlotte had to stifle her laughter when Alice used a typical distraction technique to keep the two guards from losing their cool demeanor. The rest of the ride was in silence, but as soon as they reached the city itself, the two women became excited again. Felix had found a garage to park the car, and all four vampires left for the upper level that led to the shopping area Charlotte had found on the Internet. She wondered if they appeared at all odd to the typical Roman, what with both she and Alice wearing sunglasses, hats and gloves, and on a sunny day. Alice stood out wearing a bright pink shirt jacket, and navy slacks, with Charlotte's blue sweater breaking up the black of her outfit. But with the two guards following them, all dressed in black and wearing dark glasses, if shoppers thought them people of importance, well, so be it.
"Felix, Demetri, just keep an eye on things, and be sure to watch yourselves," Charlotte instructed them.
Two pretty Italian women were watching Felix and Demetri, giggling behind their hands. Charlotte knew vampires exuded an attractive scent that drew humans to them. The fact the guards looked hot didn't help.
"Demetri, stop smiling at them. They're following us as it is," Charlotte hissed. "You two are going to get us all in trouble."
"Charlie, we're here to protect you both..."
"...and carry our bags?" Alice suppressed her smile.
Felix glared at the Cullen woman. "How often do we get out into the normal world of humans? Besides, we're not doing anything. They are."
"Stop encouraging them!" Charlotte said, glaring harder at the taller guard member.
Demetri objected. "It's not our fault. It's the allure."
Charlotte looked at Alice. "Then why aren't Alice and I being followed by handsome human males? Alright, you two may speak with them, but that is all. I mean it!"
The two guards smiled, and sauntering over to the Italian women, started making small talk with them.
"Let's get to shopping," Alice said, heading into the nearest store, steering Charlotte to a selection of dresses and jeans. "The shirts are over there. Charlie, look at those leather bags!"
Charlotte gave Felix and Demetri one more glower of warning, then followed Alice who was grabbing items, looking them over and putting back to pick up something else.
"How many bags can one woman use, Alice? Stop encouraging me!" She laughed as they browsed aisle after aisle, leaving the guards out of physical range, but she knew they were still able to see and hear them even this far away.
Charlotte picked up two leather handbags, one a neutral caramel, the other a bright teal.
"Only two? If it's money..."
"It's not about money, Alice. I still have a human sense of frugality, something Aro has already chastised me about. He would say nothing if I bought out this entire store. And get that look off your face, missy," she said when she saw Alice's face light up. "I have enough. Look at all these packages poor Felix and Demetri will have to carry." Charlotte couldn't help but laugh when the two guards heard her over the distance and glared at her. "Stop that. I'm kidding. We'll help. And Alice, you have that small jet to take you home. Will everything you bought even fit inside?"
"When will I get another chance like this?" she said happily.
Eight stores and almost 75,000 euros later, the two women had finished. Charlotte looked around for the two guards, and saw them approaching, trying not to speed run as was their instinct.
"And where have you two been?" Charlotte demanded. She sniffed the air. "Oh god, what did you do? Let's get back to the garage, now! And help us with these bags." The heavy scent of blood surrounding Felix and Demetri was apparent to both Charlotte and Alice.
The four incognito vampires headed to the garage. Once at the car, the guards loaded the packages into the trunk, and opened the doors for Charlotte and Alice to get into the back seat. Climbing in front, Felix was about to start the car, before Charlotte stopped him.
"Felix, Demetri, what did you two do?"
They looked at one another, then Demetri spoke first. "Alright, Charlie, we had a little bit of their blood. We didn't kill them."
"After we glamoured them, they won't remember a thing," Felix explained further.
"Look at the position you have put me in. Aro will have to be told." When she saw them begin to protest, Charlotte continued, "But I will speak to him and ask for leniency. You two should know better." Charlotte looked over at Alice and shook her head.
Felix started the car and began the trip back to Volterra.
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Once the party had returned at Volturi headquarters, Felix and Demetri began to unload the trunk. Charlotte and Alice helped, taking their purchases to their respective rooms. Charlotte wondered what Aro would say when he saw their bed laden with packages, but he was the one who said she hadn't purchased enough her last shopping trip. This was all Alice's fault, that was going to be her excuse. She forced her to buy everything. It was only her own self-control that kept the entire store from being emptied.
Charlotte ran to Alice's room and invited her to meet with Aro and the others. "He promised to behave. He has no reason to upset you or Carlisle."
"You've been good for him, Charlie. I've seen that already. This change in his demeanor will bring about better things for our kind."
"Really? Please don't tell him that," Charlotte begged. "I'm not sure how he would take it, hearing it from a Cullen. I'm not here to change the Volturi, Alice. At least I'm not actively trying to change anyone. I'm just being myself with them all. But if it happens, it would be a wonderful thing."
Alice nodded, then remembered a question she had. "You're not going to be feeding any time soon, are you, Charlie?"
"Oh, Alice, no. We fed a few days ago, and will be fine for a week or more. I didn't want you to feel uncomfortable, so was very happy when...that was taken care of earlier." She placed her hand on Alice's arm and squeezed. "I suppose it can be difficult for you. I mean, I tried animal blood and it wasn't..." She wrinkled her nose at the memory of the watered down taste. "I just couldn't do that, although I admire you and your family for your beliefs." She gave her friend an expression that said she was sorry.
The two women left Alice's room and headed for the parlour. Aro had wanted to talk with Alice in a relaxed atmosphere. Caius had refused to meet with the Cullen woman, but Marcus was there, knowing how much Charlotte wanted them to welcome their visitor personally.
Aro was all smiles when his mate and the Cullen woman entered the parlour. "Alice, my dear, it is so good to see you again." He held out his hand, until he saw Charlotte's expression. "I will not read her, cara." To prove it, he took Alice's hand and merely bent over it to kiss the top, then he let go of her. "We are happy you are here with us, my dear. Please, have a seat." Aro waited for Charlotte and Alice to sit, then took his own seat. "Did you two enjoy your day in Rome?"
"We did very much, love. Alice would probably have preferred to have the stores shipped back home, lock, stock and barrel."
"And when will I get to shop like that in Leavenworth?" Alice said, smiling broadly.
"Then you will have to join us again sometime, Alice." Aro had wanted Alice to become a part of the Volturi for a long time, and was willing to destroy her family knowing she would not as long as they existed. Now he had no such desire. It was still possible that over time, Charlotte and Alice might become good friends. Never one to give up so easily, Aro believed in patience. Alice's vision had been one that had alarmed him so many years ago. He had to keep his coven intact, the loss of any one too hard to bear. His reputation had suffered for the decision to not fight, but it was something he had to do. Because of that, the Volturi were still the strongest coven in the vampire realm.
"How is your family, Alice?" Marcus asked. Aro looked at his brother, wondering why he asked a question, let alone that one. Of course, Marcus had taken Charlotte to visit the Cullens. He had done what Aro never had, sitting among the entire family just talking with them.
"They're all very well, thank you. We're hoping to stay in Leavenworth a while, a few years at least. Carlisle likes his position at the local clinic there."
The foursome talked for over two hours about trials judged by the Volturi, young Sarah, and things the Cullens had been doing. Aro had asked about Edward and Bella, to which Alice detailed Renesmee's frozen growth and subsequent marriage to Jacob. She did not explain that Jacob was a shapeshifter, since the Volturi would say he was a werewolf, which he and his tribe were not.
"I had better go pack. The plane will be here at 10:00 am to pick me up."
"We'll take you to the airport, Alice. I'm so happy you came."
Alice embraced her friend, thanking her for the invitation.
Charlotte smiled and said, "You will come back sometime? It's been difficult for me here, with so few female friends. Next time, Malia will come with us. She wanted to this time, but had duties to tend to."
"Sure, absolutely. Now that I know I'm welcome, Charlie, I would love to come back. And I understand completely. Jane."
"Yes! Have you seen us becoming friends, or will she be a thorn in my side forever?"
"I don't want to spoil things for you, Charlie. But trust me. It will get better. Just not right away." Alice gave Charlie a hug.
Charlotte hated to say goodbye to Alice. Here was someone she could utterly relate to.
"Aro, Marcus, thank you for your welcome. Next time, perhaps, it can be longer. I'll just go back to my room and get ready for the morning."
"Good night, my dear." As an after-thought, Aro added, "Give my regards to Carlisle."
Alice looked at Aro, saying with satisfaction, "I will."
After Alice had left, Marcus rose from his chair and gave Charlotte a kiss on her check, bidding she and Aro both good night.
Aro's arm was around his mate as they walked back to their chambers, the more indulgent human way.
"Thank you, love. You've been an absolute gentleman, and I appreciate that," Charlotte slipped her arm around Aro's waist, leaning against him.
"Of course, cara. Alice is welcome any time."
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Aro and Charlotte returned to their chambers to find the bed covered with bags and boxes. "Is that all you bought, my dear?" he asking teasingly.
"It was all Alice's fault," she replied, putting the blame on her new friend. "You should have seen what she bought. For instance, she wanted me to get five leather handbags. Now what woman needs more than two bags, three tops. So I finally decided on one colourful bag and one neutral. And you don't really care as long as I'm happy." She walked over to him and embraced her mate, kissing him deeply, then hugging him. "Oh, and I have something for you too!" She pulled from a box a black vest, the front made of cobalt blue brocade. She held it up to Aro. "You need to break up the black, my love. I thought this one was perfect. It's made of the best Chinese silk with the best craftsmanship in all Italy."
Aro took off his jacket and tried on the vest, buttoning it up. He held out his arms. "Well? How does it look?"
Charlotte slipped her arms around him, and looking into his eyes, said, "Hm, I think I made a mistake. It looks so gorgeous on you, that it makes me want to take it off and just throw you down on the bed."
"Is that a challenge?" He nuzzled her neck right below her ear.
She laughingly squirmed in his arms. "I do have more to put away. There's little room on the bed as it is."
"Well, I love your gift. I'm happy you and Alice had fun. I assume Felix and Demetri did as well?"
"Well..."
"What happened?" Aro asked, sitting at his desk.
"When we reached the Via del Corso, we were followed by two Italian women who seemed attracted to the guards. They swore they were not encouraging them, but the ladies were very pretty. I told them they could talk with them while Alice and I shopped, on condition that they do nothing, if you know what I mean. Well, Felix and Demetri rejoined Alice and me later, and I could smell blood. I asked them if they had indulged themselves with the human females. They admitted that they drank only a little, then glamoured them into forgetting the entire experience. I chastised them already for making Alice uncomfortable, Aro, but it's up to you if you feel they need punishment. They apologized to both of us, but they were disobedient. In their defense, however, the women were very, very pretty."
"Perhaps no missions away for a few weeks would teach them. I can imagine they would go quite stir crazy being stuck here for that time. Now as to Jane..."
"Aro, please, let me handle Jane. She is as insolent to me as she is obedient to you. She told me she had promised you she would not use her power against me. She lied, obviously. I'm not sure why she hates me so much."
"I really wish you'd let me speak to her again. It could solve everything."
"Or make things worse! No, Aro, don't speak to her. I don't have the ability to make something real, unreal. But if Jane's power is just an illusion, and if I could work on my self-control, I could basically ignore her. Maybe then her power would not affect me."
"That might be a dangerous game, my dear," Aro warned.
"I can't let Jane intimidate me, Aro."
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The next morning, after convincing Aro to let Felix and Demetri drive Charlotte, and Alice and all her purchases to the Pisa airport for her flight home. The guards helped load up the plane while the women said their goodbyes. As the plane rose into the air, Charlotte walked back to the car. Demetri was surprised she hadn't demanded to sit in the front with them. Instead, she sat in the back, quietly humming a song. At one point, she stopped and told the guards that Aro wanted to speak with them in the early evening, then she went back to humming,
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As Aro had left for a couple of hours, Charlotte was in the parlour waiting for Caius to join her for a game of chess. She heard his footfalls as he entered the bright airy room, chess box in hand. "Good afternoon, sister. It has been awhile since we have played. I thought your last defeat had set you off from playing with me. So, your little friend is gone?"
Charlotte smiled up at Caius, shaking her head. "Did you even take the time to speak with Alice, dear brother? Get to know your enemy before you call them friend kind of stuff?"
"Charlotte, I had no desire to mingle with a Cullen." He huffed while setting up the board. Charlotte removed the queen to replace it with her golden queen.
She saw Caius smile when she did that. "Oh, I have a gift for you that I bought while in Rome."
Caius looked up, pleasantly surprised. He remarked nonchalantly, "And what could you get me that I do not already have?"
"Gifts do not have to be necessities, Caius." She stood, removing from her pocket a small tissue wrapped object. Walking to the other side of the table, she asked Caius to stand. Reaching up, Charlotte unwrapped a broach about 2 inches long, of a rearing horse, his rider wielding a sword. She pinned it to Caius' scarf, and stepped back. "It's gold, by the bye."
"What, no rubies?", he teased her.
She grinned at him, saying "No rubies. I just thought it was a nice representation of you in your fighting days."
Caius looked at the pin, his mind traveling back to a time when this was he. Kissing her on the cheek, Caius said, "Thank you, sister. I'm surprised you thought of me while on your shopping trip."
She sat back down at her seat opposite Caius. "Don't think you're all that. I picked up gifts for Marcus and Aro too." She winked at him, and made her first move. "Why didn't you join us here yesterday? I assume it's because you don't like the Cullens. Why exactly?"
Caius's head jerked up at the question, his eyes dark as he stared at Charlotte. "Charlotte, some things are best left unspoken."
Charlotte knew she had overstepped a line. "I'm sorry, Caius. It's none of my business. And it was many years ago."
Caius thought Charlotte had little knowledge of their history with the Cullens and their clan. They had enough influence that they managed to draw many strong allies to their side when confronted about the hybrid child. Aro had refused to engage their small army, to the humiliation of the Volturi.
"Let's not discuss this topic anymore, Charlotte. I'm feeling like a winner today."
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After being solidly defeated by Caius at their chess game, Charlotte went to find Marcus, her gift for him also wrapped in tissue paper. She hoped he would understand the sentiment behind the gift. Marcus had a heart of gold, if Charlotte were to give it a name. He was calm, patient, and always wise. He knew how to help her when she was sad, cross, or confused.
On reaching the library, she found Marcus paging through a book that to Charlotte looked very old. "Uncle Marcus? Are you terribly busy?"
Marcus turned, and put down the book on seeing Charlotte coming toward him. "I'm never too busy for you, my child. How may I be of service?"
When she reached Marcus, Charlotte gave him a tight hug. "Missed you," she said. Letting go of the gentle giant, Charlotte glanced at the books on the table. "You have some heavy reading here, Marcus." She stopped, then turned to face him. "Do you know of any of our kind that work in the scientific field? Say, for Nasa or the military?"
"Not that I know of personally, child. Why?"
"I was just wondering. So, I have something for you that I picked up in Rome when I was there with Alice Cullen." She held out the small package that lay on the palm of her hand. "Just something for you to remember me by, not that I'm going anywhere." Charlotte sat in a nearby chair.
Marcus took the package and sat on his chair. He unwrapped the small gift, seeing it was a gold locket.
"I had a photo of myself put into it, so that you can wear it near your heart, and I will be with you always."
Marcus gave her a small smile and opened the locket, her smiling face looking up at him. "You are beautiful, Charlotte. But it will clash with my pendant," he teased.
Charlotte laughed and rose to go sit on Marcus' lap. "That's why you must wear it inside your shirt, near your heart." She slipped the chain over his head and let the locket fall into his collar. Her hand lay on his chest, feeling the locket there. "Your heart may not beat anymore, but it still loves. And I hope I'm in there somewhere." She impulsively hugged him, laying her head on his shoulder.
Marcus wrapped his arms around Charlotte, knowing he loved her only a little less than he loved Didyme. "Thank you, child." Before his emotions overwhelmed him, Marcus released Charlotte while letting her remain on his lap. He reached for his book and showed her what he had been reading. It was a history of the city-states of Ancient Greece. The two discussed the Grecian wars, peace treaties and so on, for over an hour. Neither knew at this moment that the knowledge of this history would one day come in handy.
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Charlotte opened her laptop to find an email from Alice.
Hi Charlie, I have something very important to discuss with you. I had a vision, but it's very vague, almost like walking in a heavy fog. I can see something, but it's not clear enough to even describe to you. I do know one thing. Carlisle wants to talk with Aro. If not in person, over the computer will do to start. There's this app called Skype. They can talk and see each other using your computer. Please set up an account and give me the account information. You and I can set up a day and time for them. I really hope Aro will cooperate. The last century or so, the covens had become so scattered and disparate, that any comraderie these days is rare. Our relationship with the Denali is an exception. Do what you can and get back to me. - Alice
Charlotte sat at the desk, dumbfounded. She knew about Skype, and how it could be used. How was she going to convince Aro to speak with Carlisle over her laptop, and what if he, in a pique, broke the device during the conversation. She decided to send Alice a quick reply, and go from there.
Hi, Alice, wow, you have a way of knocking me off my feet. I can try getting Aro to agree to such a meeting, but I can't use my work Skype log in, since as far as work is concerned, I'm dead. I'll make up a new one and send it to you. After what Aro said earlier, who knows, maybe he will agree to talk with Carlisle. I'll write again soon. - Charlie
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Charlotte took Alice's advice, and created a skype account using charlottevolturi as her ID name. She wasn't sure how Aro would react when she asked him about taking the meeting, but both she and Alice felt it was important the air be cleared between these two men who had once been friends. Charlotte felt Carlisle was not going to be a problem, so she knew she would end up with the raw end of the deal. Still, Aro knew what Carlisle had said when she was with the Cullens by reading her. Maybe Marcus could help too, if Aro proved especially stubborn.
Later that evening, Aro was sitting on the bed, wearing only his slacks and leaning against the headboard. He was looking over several books, glancing at Charlotte who was sitting next to him. "Is something on your mind, my dear?"
"You know me too well, love, and yes, there is. Do you have a moment? No distractions."
Putting down the book in his hand, he gave his mate his undivided attention. "What is it, Charlotte? You seem pensive this evening."
Snuggling against Aro's bare upper body, she sighed knowing it was ridiculous to do so, but it felt like a moment suited to sighing. "I received an email from Alice today."
"Ah, and how is she doing since returning home?" Aro was disappointed she had left them so soon to return to her family, but had expected nothing else.
"Aro, Alice is asking me to set up a way on my laptop for you...for you to speak with Carlisle."
The ancient Volturi master looked at the mortal he had taken as his mate, as if he didn't know her. She was leaning against him as she enjoyed doing when they were alone in their bedchamber. He had read her memories, and knew her inside and out. Yet, she never ceased to amaze him in many ways. This request was a surprise made out of the blue. "Why would I want to speak with Carlisle?" he asked, his eyes a dark crimson as he looked over at Charlotte who had moved away from Aro, staring back at him, her sudden fear pushed aside by her resolve.
She answered, "Because I asked you to."
A/N : I don't know if Volturi vampires can use glamouring on their victims, but mine do.
Ok, changing up the storyline, as some of the characters were not ready for any reveals just yet. I have to go by their judgment, since they tend to know what they're talking about. So no big story reveal yet. It will come.
And you know, comments are always welcome. I never know if I'm writing something people like. Don't be shy. And thanks to my readers.
