Caesar escorted me back to Hugo once some time had passed, long enough that I had stopped trembling and my hair had mostly dried.
"You're okay!" Hugo cried when I opened his door, throwing himself into my arms. I could feel him shaking and he looked up at me, arms still wrapped around my torso. "I told Caesar you hadn't come back, and then he didn't come back, and I was scared that-"
"Shh, Hugo, it's okay. I'm okay," I assured him, rubbing his back gently. "They can't get rid of me that easily."
"What happened? Why were you gone?" Hugo asked, pulling the door shut. Caesar had already gone.
I curled onto the end of Hugo's couch and he plopped down next to me, leaning against my arm. I hesitated, unsure of how much to tell him. "Stefan and I had a… conversation. His behavior left me shaken, so I went to Caesar's quarters after I left Stefan's office to calm down."
"What did he do to you?" Hugo asked, as startlingly perceptive as he always was.
"Please don't worry about it, Hugo. Caesar is taking care of it," I said. "What's done is done, and I'd rather just… not think about it right now."
"Okay," Hugo agreed softly. He looked at my watch. "Caesar excused us from our first combat training session, but we need to leave now if we want to get to the second without being late."
Considering Caesar had spent a fair chunk of the afternoon with me, I wondered who had run the previous training session. When we arrived down at the training field, Sam was calling for everyone to fall in and my unspoken question was answered.
"Caesar is on other business currently, so I'll be running this combat session," Sam said, pacing in front of the lines of vampires. "You will give me the same respect that you give him during training, otherwise I'll have Xander and Doyle tag team for the shortest, most brutal ring fight thus far. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!" I intoned with the others, ready to get this over with. I really didn't feel like fighting today, despite how restless my vampire instincts were making me feel. The mate bond had flared after what had occurred earlier, demanding the comfort of my mates, and the resulting pain left me in no mood to grapple with the other newborns.
"As we have no more beginners, you all know how this works. Let's get started," Sam ordered.
I was only called for one fight against an olive-skinned vampire whom I shared control training with. I beat him, if only so my day would have one bright spot in it, and retreated back to my place in the ring without the victorious smirk I would usually wear on winning a fight. Miraculously, Hugo's name was not called at all.
I spotted Adrian as Hugo and I were making our way back to the castle. He was talking with Doyle, who was wearing an expression of twisted delight.
Of course they were looking at me. Adrian caught my eye and jerked his head, motioning me over.
"Go on, Hugo," I said, frowning.
"I'm going with you," he said, and I could tell he wasn't to be dissuaded. I made my way reluctantly through the ankle-high grass towards the two.
"Good news, Cullen," Doyle said before Adrian could even speak. "You and I get a special little one-on-one session. I'm simply dying to know what you did to deserve punishment, but as Adrian won't tell me, I suppose I'll just have to torture it out of you."
Adrian grimaced, looking almost apologetic. "Master Stefan ordered Doyle to carry out disciplinary action after the incident that occurred earlier."
"Just when I thought this day couldn't get any better," I snarked, but my heart wasn't in it. "Go on to your room, Hugo. I'll find you later."
Hugo frowned. "But-"
"No buts," I said, stern now. "Go."
"Sí señora," Hugo said unhappily, turning and running back towards the castle.
"Excited, Cullen?" Doyle asked, leading the way back inside.
"Couldn't be more thrilled," I said, seriously considering whether I should just use my gift to take the castle by stealth and save my mates the trouble of war. I highly doubted, however, that I would be able to take on Vladimir and Stefan even with the aid of the shadows.
"We'll have lots of fun, Cullen, don't you worry about that. Unfortunately, I'm constrained to an hour, but we can still do plenty in that time," Doyle said, tossing me a malicious grin and stepping aside so I could enter an unfamiliar room that was set deep within the castle. "Welcome to the dungeon. No prisoners, of course; it's solely used to teach lessons to those who misbehave. Like you. Have to admit, I knew from day one that we'd end up here eventually. I could see it in your eyes."
I wisely chose to remain silent.
"I have a bit of a knack when it comes to reading people. Not as good as Caesar, though I doubt anyone is," Doyle said, shutting the door. "And you… well, the masters may not have noticed, but I certainly have. You have fight in you. It would be much easier for you, now, Cullen, to keep that spirit of yours in good check, or I will make this punishment very nasty. Understand?"
"Yes, sir," I said.
"Good, good," Doyle said idly, watching me as he stalked around the room. "Did you know that a vampire's body can actually recover from minor burns? They are incredibly painful, and it takes a fair amount of time, but as long as it's not too severe…"
He took torch from the wall, stalking towards me. "A very effective torture method for everyone except that boy of yours, who is most regretfully fireproof. I had to get a bit more creative for him, but I'd like to think creativity is one of my greatest strengths - besides my actual strength, of course. Once we're done here, I'm sure you'll agree." His friendly tone dropped. "Give me your arm, Cullen."
I didn't want to do this. I could kill him, get Caesar and Hugo, and leave before anyone was the wiser. But I was here to save my mates, to save my family, to save my friends. It was the only way we could win.
Whatever it takes.
I had taken pain before, taken years of it at the hands of my father. I could take this, too. I had to take this.
"Good girl," Doyle said as I extended my arm, my skin glittering in the light. He raised the torch, until the tips of the flames just brushed against the sensitive skin of my inner arm. Like the turn, but worse, because now I was truly burning.
I screamed.
"The one problem with fire," Doyle said, after he had tired of tormenting me with flames, "is that it's not quite permanent enough. The idea of a venom brand was a truly ingenious idea of the masters', though I don't have one here. Master Stefan did give me one explicit instruction, however, as to how I should ensure this little session of ours - which is almost over, unfortunately - sticks in your mind."
"And how's that?" I asked, burns crawling with agony as my venom slowly stitched me back together.
"There's a place on the neck that's quite coveted by mates. Bite there and it's considered a mark. Staking claim, so to speak. I'm quite curious as to why I have to sink my teeth into that particular spot, but you've made it abundantly clear you aren't going to tell me anything, so I won't waste my time trying to get an answer out of you."
"Please don't," I said, the closest thing to a beg for mercy I had come to during this torture session.
"Sorry, Cullen," Doyle said, despite not looking sorry at all. "Orders are orders. And I take pleasure knowing that you don't want me to do this."
My still-healing burns prevented me from truly being able to fight back, and with minimal struggle Doyle overpowered me, sinking his teeth into the juncture of my neck and shoulder. "For good measure," he said, and clamped his teeth into the other side, too.
The door banged open as Doyle pulled back, vicious pleasure written all over his face. Caesar, strode in. "Time's up."
"Always so punctual," Doyle said, rolling his eyes. "I enjoyed our time, Cullen."
"Feeling isn't mutual," I grunted. Caesar made a move to pick me up and I shook my head. "No, I want to walk."
"In the state you're in?" Caesar asked in disbelief.
"Just help me," I growled, and he complied, looping an arm around my waist and heaving me to my feet.
"Love that spirit of yours. Makes things so much fun," Doyle said, patting one of the burns on my arm so that I grunted in pain. "Until next time, Cullen!"
"How long will this take to heal?" I asked, leaning heavily on Caesar as he helped me out of the room.
He pursed his lips. "A couple hours, probably. It would be quicker if you were well-fed. I'm taking you to my quarters, Hugo can't see you like this."
"Is he doing okay?"
"He's worried sick, but he's fine. I sent him to his room with some company before coming to get you."
"Company?" I inquired.
"You'll see. Worry about healing up first," Caesar said. We made it back to his quarters after several long minutes of walking. "Carrying you would have made this far easier. Must you always be so stubborn?"
"Please, you love it," I said.
"I wouldn't go that far. Stay here, don't move. I'm going to see about getting you some blood," Caesar said once I was settled on his bed.
"I've got another six days," I said, the overwhelming burn in my throat a constant reminder of my thirst.
"Exceptions are occasionally made," Caesar said, ordering me once more not to move before leaving the room.
I wanted so badly to sleep, or to sink into some form of unconsciousness, anything to ease the pain of my healing burns, my thirst, the mate bond. Pain had been my constant companion for many years as a child, but even I had a breaking point. I felt like I would shatter at any moment.
Even if I had known before coming here what I would suffer as a result, I wouldn't change my course. Not since it was the only way we even had a shot at winning.
"I got you a little something," Caesar said, returning what felt like a half-hour later with a blood bag in hand. "It isn't much, especially for a newborn, but it should help speed up the healing process a little."
I took it greedily, drinking every last drop, but Caesar was right: it wasn't enough, not by a long shot. It wasn't even enough to soothe the burn in my throat by a degree.
Meanwhile, Caesar was examining my injuries. "Give it another two hours and you should be healed."
"Thanks," I said quietly.
He smiled at me, looking almost sad, and gently patted an unburnt section of my shoulder. "Of course."
The ache of the burns lessened as they continued to heal, and a little over two hours later there was no trace that I had ever been injured. Even the bite scars, which I had accumulated over hours of combat training, had healed, but I didn't doubt that there would be replacements for them within the week.
But the memories of the burns, the feeling of the fire eating away my skin, remained.
"I'm going to fetch Hugo," Caesar said after declaring me fully healed.
"And his company?" I asked.
"Yes. In the meantime, change your shirt. You can take one of mine, there's clean button-ups in the top drawer," he said, motioning towards the dresser.
"Thanks," I said, and he nodded before leaving the room. I wasted no time in discarding my burnt and tattered shirt, selecting another from Caesar's dresser. I chose one that was a deep, ruby red. It reminded me of the color Aro would often wear, and I took comfort in its familiarity.
"Are you clothed?" Caesar asked, cracking open the door.
"Yes, thanks for the shirt," I said, tucking it into my jeans before beginning to roll up the too-long sleeves.
"It's no trouble," he said, opening the door fully.
Hugo bounded inside, squeezing me tightly. I wrapped my arms around him in return, and he looked up at me anxiously. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Hugo," I assured him, ruffling his hair. "Promise."
"As for Hugo's company, I'm positive you've already met," Caesar said, closing the door.
My eyes landed on the figure standing beside him and shock jolted through my system. "Maxim?"
"Figured you could use another ally," Maxim said lazily.
"I- what are you doing here?" I stammered. It was bad enough that Caesar and Hugo were here with me, in constant danger. I didn't want Maxim in danger, too.
Maxim raised a brow. "A 'thank you', would have sufficed, but to answer your question, I volunteered."
"Volunteered?" I repeated.
"After Felix's death, the masters wanted someone else on the inside to watch your back, someone they knew and trusted. No offense," he added, glancing at Caesar, who made a dismissive gesture. "Considering I'm part of the reason you're here, I felt it only apt that I volunteer to help keep you safe."
"I wish there wasn't another one of us in danger here, Maxim. But for what it's worth, thank you," I said.
"It was the right thing to do. The masters weren't pleased when they found out my involvement in your escape, mind you, but considering how well our abilities meshed when you were still human, Master Aro thought I was the wisest choice," Maxim said. "Besides, someone has to help you get control of your gift. Caesar has brought me up to speed regarding your… difficulties."
"I'm working through it," I said.
"Considering I believe the battle to be less than a month away, I could hardly say no to giving you some outside help, and we don't have any more time for you to figure it out yourself," Caesar said. "And before you ask, no, I don't have a date yet. But it appears Vladimir and Stefan have narrowed the time frame down to sometime in early June."
"That soon?" Maxim asked, folding his arms across his chest. "The kings were hoping for July at the earliest, but I think they knew realistically that it would be sooner."
"Is Volterra not ready?" I asked, worried.
"They're ready, to an extent. I'll be able to give a more definite answer once I see how Vladimir and Stefan are running things here as to whether our coven is ready for the onslaught. Training has been happening around the clock, so combat readiness is not an issue. It's more that the longer between now and the battle, the more allies the kings can persuade to fight for our cause."
"Which has come up in the strategic meetings I attend," Caesar said. "Vladimir and Stefan know that the longer they delay, the stronger and larger the Volturi force will become. Their rush to fight could be both a blessing and a curse, depending on if the Volturi have a suitable number to stand against trained newborns."
"You're in charge of their combat training, aren't you?" Maxim asked.
"I am. I've done what I can to make them vulnerable. They have no defensive skills," Caesar said.
"Very clever," Maxim approved. He checked his watch. "You had best show me to my post, Caesar. No doubt they're waiting on me."
"What do they have you doing?" I asked.
"Border patrol. My age has given me an edge; they desperately need experience and it only took Caesar's approval for them to set me as co-lead over border operations," he answered.
"And that means-"
"That I can attempt to prevent what happened to Felix from happening to anyone else, correct," Maxim said, reading me easily. "My rest hour is at six in the morning, so I'll meet you then for training. Is there anywhere else we can work besides Caesar's quarters that won't have us be overheard?"
"My training room," Hugo meekly suggested.
Caesar gave him an impressed look. "I believe that would work perfectly, Hugo. Good thinking."
"Gracias," Hugo said, beaming.
"I'll show Maxim where it's located on his way to his post," Caesar said.
"Good. Remember, six o'clock. Try not to be late. We have much to accomplish and not a lot of time to do it," Maxim said. "Until then, be careful."
I smiled at him. "You do the same."
"I'll try my best," he said, bowing slightly.
I grimaced. "No bowing, Maxim, please. We're all equals here."
"If you insist. Good to see you again, Rowan," Maxim said before sweeping out the door, Caesar shortly behind him.
"I like Maxim," Hugo said once they left. "He's a little scary, but I think it's mostly for show."
"I do too," I agreed, ruffling his hair. "Let's get back to your room, we can- shit!"
"What?" he asked, eyes widening.
"The kings. I was supposed to check in with them three hours ago," I said.
"Check in?" Hugo echoed.
"It's what I do with my free hour, so they know I'm alright. I'll take you to your room, then I have to go call before they do something impulsive thanks to sheer panic," I said.
I had never left the castle so quickly, cursing under my breath the whole way and thankful that the shadows kept me from being heard.
Caius picked up instantly, and I was speaking before he had a chance. "I'm so sorry, I'm fine, something happened. It's been a long night."
"Amore, it's alright. Maxim notified us of your wellbeing when he heard you would be missing your normal check-in time, though he did not divulge a reason," Caius soothed. "What happened?"
"I was needed for a task. Nothing important," I lied. It was best if they didn't know the true reason, for their own sakes.
"Alright," Caius said, though he didn't sound entirely convinced. "Aro is indisposed at present, working with Bella and Edward, but Marcus is here."
"Hello, Marcus," I said, smiling when I heard his voice.
"Hello, tesoro. How are you holding up?"
"I'm alright," I said, realizing that even to myself I sounded off. "Maxim arrived, and he's safe. Though I suppose you know that. They've put him as a co-lead over border patrol."
"Yes, we knew of his safe arrival, but not that he had been put in a position so prominent," Caius said.
"He said he's going to do his best to prevent what happened to Felix from happening again," I said.
"Are you sure you're well?" Marcus asked gently.
"I-" The words were on the tip of my tongue: my starvation, the brutal control trainings, the toll of Felix's death, Stefan, Doyle's punishment. I wanted so badly to tell them. But they would act rashly if I did, launch a half-cocked attack for the sole reason of bringing me back to them, and they would lose.
So instead, I said, "I just miss you guys." That wasn't technically a lie.
"We miss you too, amore," Caius said, and I could hear the longing in his voice. The longing to have me safely back within the walls of Volterra, safely back in his arms.
"We have the small comfort of knowing that the mate bond, on your end, is not full-fledged, nor will it be until you see us again," Marcus said. "You have only saw us when you were human, so it is weaker, though still there. If you had seen us as a vampire, the pain of the mate bond would increase ten-fold."
"Does that mean you-"
"Do not worry about us, amore," Caius said. "The bond is painful, but it is nothing compared to the fear of what could happen to you while in the clutches of the Romanians, and nothing compared to our determination to win this war for you."
"I'm sorry," I said. I hadn't meant to cause them pain. I hadn't thought about the fact that the separation would cause them pain, too.
"Do not apologize. We will win this war, and you will have peace, and safety, and everything we cannot presently give you," Marcus said.
"Everything will be as it was," Caius assured me.
I hugged my knees to my chest, the shadows swirling comfortingly around me. "I hope so," I murmured, to placate them.
But how could things be as they were before, after everything that has happened?
How could things be as they were before when I am no longer the person I was before?
⊱ ────── {.⋅ V ⋅.} ────── ⊰
Once again, I'm SORRY, and I promise that things will be improving a little now that Maxim has arrived. The battle is close, which means it's more important than ever that Rowan be able to fully control her ability. I'm excited to have Maxim back in the picture, he's a lot of fun to write and definitely an interesting character. If you want someone to blame for the torture session Stefan ordered for Rowan, one of my readers made the point that Stefan wouldn't just let her go, even with Caesar intervening. So while Caesar's actions will prevent Stefan from bothering Rowan in the future, he's still angry that she basically humiliated him. Any theories about what Caesar said to Stefan to get him to back down? My peeps over on Wattpad voted that the confrontation scene should be a bonus chapter, so you'll find out about exactly what went down then.
Thank you so much to those who reviewed, I really appreciate your kind words of encouragement! It seems you guys are just as excited as I am about what is to come, which I'm so happy about! Here are a few responses to reviews on the last chapter:
yolo2002liveforever: I feel bad about killing Felix, I won't lie to you. But I'm glad you're happy that Hugo is officially on their side. I loved writing protective!Caesar, maybe I'll write that again in the future, we'll see what happened. Thank you so much for your review, I appreciate it!
laurynhoward: Thank you! I love writing angsty, action-filled, suspenseful stories, so I'm glad you're liking it! Thank you for reviewing!
Sodapop4me2004: Thank you! I'm thankful for your support and I'm grateful for your review!
Since I've got company coming shortly and I'm on a bit of a time crunch at present, I won't continue rambling on. So once again, thanks to all who have commented, please keep it up as it means so much to me! Stay safe and I will chat with you all in the next update!