Thanks so much to my lovely beta, KJ. She is seriously amazing. All mistakes, however, are mine because I don't leave stuff alone. :D
Disclaimer: All things Twilight belong solely to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter Nine
EPOV
At my father's order, Afton cried out in terror, pleading for mercy. Unaffected by the vampire's petitions, Father mindlessly drummed his fingers against his armrest, wanting the business to be done. Jane, however, behaved like a spectator at a sporting event. Sitting perched on the edge of her seat, she squealed with delight as she watched the exhibition, secretly wishing she were the one performing the duty.
The crushing hands of a guardsman closed around Afton's neck and head, swiftly twisting them in a counterclockwise motion. The loud cracking and popping of his bones echoed around the room like a series of gunshots.
Feelings of remorse flooded through me at the realization that this man had committed no crime. In fact, Afton had only brought news that made my father joyous—a feat almost impossible to accomplish. As I studied my father's indifferent expression, a cold shudder rippled down my spine, stunned by his lack of compassion. I wondered if he had any value whatsoever for life.
As I watched the guard finish removing Afton's head from his lifeless body, I remembered the countless lives I had ended as an arrogant teenager. Fascinated by my newly developed vampiric strength, I used to beg my father to let me play the role of executioner whenever given the chance. Fortunately, my conscience outgrew my inflated ego. I was a fool to believe the thoughts of those I was murdering would have no effect on me. To this day, I am still haunted by their cries of injustice and sobs for grace.
After the guards finally left the room, I brushed my father's hand, silently asking for a private audience.
He dipped his chin in acknowledgment and addressed my sister. "Jane, dear, I need to speak with Edward regarding his travel arrangements. You may leave us."
Jane's brow furrowed, and a pout formed on her thin lips. She attempted to appear merely upset but jealousy raged within her like an ember waiting to explode into flame. "But I want to go, too. It's not fair that Edward gets to meet the new breeder before I do. Don't you remember how helpful I was when that other little brat lived with us?"
A vision of a young girl with the same shade of hair as mine flashed through Jane's mind. I knew immediately it was my mother.
"Silence!" Father roared, pointing his finger in her face. From his thoughts, I could see that Jane had been repeatedly warned never to speak or think about my mother in my presence. "Go to your chambers. I will deal with you once I'm finished speaking with Edward."
Jane's eyes widened at Father's ire. Standing, she curtsied and then scurried from the room.
Father rubbed his temples and exhaled. His patience was running thin. I would have to tread lightly. Turning in my direction, he grasped my hand. The gesture wasn't out of tenderness or concern—he wanted to monitor my thoughts during our conversation. My father didn't realize, however, that I had obtained the power to shield my thoughts from him years ago. I could choose what he did and didn't hear. I knew he'd recently become suspicious of my blocking abilities, but he had no way of proving it.
"Son, I know you have questions, and I'm happy to answer them since you are now old enough to truly understand."
I wanted to scoff. Born in 1980, I was twenty-three years old. A man. Yet he was determined to treat me as a child and keep me under his thumb. I jerked my head toward the door and gritted my teeth. "So I assume the brat Jane was referring to was my mother."
He frowned. "Yes. Though darling Elizabeth was the furthest thing from a brat...more like an angel. She arrived in Volterra at the mere age of nine. Such a curious and well-spoken thing. Loved to read and play the piano." When images of a little girl, sitting at the same baby grand that currently resided in my bedroom flitted through his mind, I clenched my teeth to suppress the raw despair bubbling in my chest. "And I, of course, helped cultivate her interests. I hired tutors and arranged private music instruction. Yes, only the best for darling Elizabeth."
Not knowing anything about my mother always made me feel incomplete. Learning that I inherited her love of books and music was like discovering the missing pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
Father cleared his throat and continued. "Jane had difficulty adjusting to the new dynamics of our little family. She became a bit jealous of Elizabeth, but over time they developed a relationship much akin to that of siblings. Playing pranks on each other and so forth."
I squeezed my fists as Father recalled Jane locking Elizabeth in a cloakroom for two days without food or water. Jane was twenty years older than Elizabeth! That fucking bitch had tormented my mother. My stomach churned as I imagined everything my mother had endured at the hands of my sister and my father. I wasn't sure if I had the courage to hear the rest, but I knew I needed to know the truth. "And what about her pregnancy?"
"Since Jane's poor mother had such a difficult time becoming pregnant, Dr. Gerandy thought it would be best to begin the process of artificial insemination with Elizabeth at an earlier age when human females are more fertile and apt to reproduce. And toward the middle of her eighteenth year, she conceived. We were all so thrilled."
An image of a pregnant, teenage Elizabeth appeared in my father's thoughts. Even though she looked terrified and not thrilled as my father stated, I could see she was protective of her unborn child. "Did she have a healthy pregnancy?"
"Yes. Full-term, but the delivery was difficult. Dr. Gerandy was forced to perform a C-section. Darling Elizabeth lost so much blood." He licked his lips and swallowed as he pictured her bleeding on the operating table. She was weeping, begging to see me...hold me.
My heart ached at the scene. "Why didn't you try to change her?"
Taken aback by the question, Father pursed his lips. "Why would I? While Elizabeth was a delightful human, she had one purpose in life and she served it."
Because I could have had both a mother and father. As soon as the thought passed through my brain, I knew I hadn't blocked it. Shit.
His eyes narrowed into slits. I knew him well enough to know he wasn't willing to share my affections with anyone.
He curled his mouth into a sinister smile and bombarded my thoughts with the memory of gorging himself on my mother's blood as she took her last breaths.
When a low growl rumbled from my chest, he laughed. "Your sister is right. You do have a temper." Leaning forward, he gripped my chin, squeezing it with enough pressure to break the almost impenetrable capillaries beneath my skin's surface. Even though the bruises would fade within the hour, he wanted to remind me of his superior strength. "But all kidding aside, you best understand. I am both your mother and your father. I am the one who granted you life...not Elizabeth Masen. She was nothing but a vessel. I am your creator."
I met his steely gaze. "Yes, Father."
He released my face. "Good. Now, go prepare for your trip. Felix will accompany you. I'll have him fetch you when the plane is ready."
Standing, I bowed.
Just as I made it to the door, Father called my name. "Oh, Edward. Elizabeth's blood was the most luscious I have ever tasted. Prove your worth, and I may share sweet Isabella's with you when the time comes."
-GGB-
An hour later, Felix and I boarded the family's private jet only to discover Jane sitting next to a window, wearing a shit-eating grin.
I paused in the middle of the aisle. "What are you doing here?"
"Father changed his mind. Decided it would be a great opportunity for us to spend some time together and bond."
More like Father wanted a break from her whiny ass and thought this was the easiest way to get her out of his hair for a few days.
Not spotting her guard, I asked, "Where is Alec?"
She waved her hand. "At home. Besides, Felix is man enough to keep an eye on both of us." She twirled a loose strand of her stringy hair and arched an eyebrow. "Right, Felix?"
Felix smirked as he remembered the last encounter the two had shared. I gagged as he recalled Jane's mouth wrapped around his cock. "Oh, I can take care of you and your needs, Principessa."
Shoving Felix in the back, I said, "For fuck's sake. Stop it. Just because Jane's the only chick who doesn't mind sucking your tiny dick doesn't mean I want to hear about it."
"You're just jealous," Jane retorted. Her mind quickly filled with disgusting fantasies of herself on her knees, undoing my pants.
Not in the mood for her shit, I stared at her and sent her a dose of her own medicine. Pain.
Grasping the sides of her head, she whimpered, falling back against her seat.
"What the fuck are you doing to her?" Felix demanded, sitting next to her. "Aro will learn about this."
Ignoring them both, I walked to the back of the plane and sat. After I pressed the intercom, I let the flight crew know we were ready for departure. Once we were in the air, I released my control over Jane, who immediately stormed to my seat.
"Are you insane? How dare you use your powers against me!"
I chuckled at her outburst. "Like you have room to talk."
She tilted her head, confused by my words. Her powers didn't work against me. We both knew this because she had tried numerous times over the years. Suddenly, understanding dawned across her wretched face. "Oh, you're upset about Elizabeth. Did Father finally tell you about your precious mommy?" She giggled hysterically. "What fun I used to have teasing that inferior human. With a mother like her, it's no wonder you turned out so weak. As a matter of fact, you're just like her...pathetic."
As I silently watched her saunter back to the front of the plane, I gripped the armrest of my seat with so much force that its leather covering disintegrated in my hand. It took my entire being not to rip her to shreds, but an airplane was not the ideal location for a confrontation with my sister. Running my fingers through my hair, I took a deep breath and decided to turn my attention to the task at hand. I grabbed my bag and removed the envelope that my father had given me, determined to learn all I could about Isabella Black.
AN:
So Edward's on his way to Washington. Unfortunately, Jane and Felix are as well.
Thanks again to everyone who is reading and reviewing. I'm sorry for the late post. My daughter's birthday was last week, so I was busy making her birthday goodies, etc.
A special shout-out again to my wonderful pre-readers: K, Kay, Lizzie, Mandy, and Gail. I couldn't do it without you.
I hope everyone has a safe and healthy week.
Until next time,
HE