"What?" Caesar said, incredulous. "Did you not hear me? We have two weeks. I have two weeks to ensure you're battle ready and determine the strategy that will play best to our side's favor. We have not the time nor the need to go to Volterra."
"Maybe we don't have the time, but I have to get you to Volterra, you and Hugo both. Because if I don't, and my coven doesn't know who their allies are, they'll kill you just as if you were any other from Vladimir and Stefan's army. Perhaps even Hugo, too."
Caesar fell silent, lips pursed. "It's a risk we'll have to take. Our absence would not go unnoticed and they would not welcome us back."
"Sure, if we snuck away without telling anyone. So we persuade them to send us instead," I said.
"How?" was Caesar's next, anticipated question. The problem was, I did not have an answer for him.
"I'm not sure. I just realized the necessity of the trip myself, so it's not as if I've had an excess of time to iron out the details."
"Perhaps not, but if you're certain about this, then we need to come up with a plan, and quickly. The next strategy meeting I'm due to attend is at five-thirty, roughly an hour and a half from now."
"There has to be a way to persuade them to let us all go," I murmured, running a hand through my hair. "We can't sneak out, because it would implicate not only you and Hugo, but Maxim as well, and he'd have to remain here in order to keep his cover. It wouldn't make any sense for him to come with us."
"Right," Caesar agreed. "The most important battle decisions tend to happen shortly before the actual battle, when we have as much information as we possibly can, and I need to be there during that period. So our visit would have to be within the next three days, and couldn't last more than a day, maximum."
"We couldn't pose as a spy mission. They don't need spies, since they have the queens, and we'd have to provide them with some sort of information on returning," I said. "And they'd never risk sending Hugo as a- Hugo." A lightbulb flickered inside my head.
Caesar heard my change in tone. "What?"
"Hugo is their secret weapon. But he's not much of a weapon if he doesn't want to kill anyone. It's no doubt they know that he's still reluctant to fight in the ring, much less use his gift against others. So what if you suggest taking him to Volterra - well, close to it, anyway - and showing him what we're supposed to be fighting against? Say you'll tell Hugo about all the awful things the Volturi have done in view of the city, since kids work best with object lessons."
"But that leaves out you."
"Hugo's my assignment, and I've proven myself in the ring. You said Ana attends the meetings too, doesn't she? She may not like it, but she could attest to it. I'd be added protection."
"It's risky," Caesar said. "There's a good chance they'll want me here. But at the same time, with the added benefit of observing the city…"
"Is it doable?" I pressed. I would not risk Caesar and Hugo's lives, not after Felix had already been killed before the battle had even begun, certainly not when it could be prevented.
He ruffled a hand through his hair, red eyes troubled. "Possibly. If we're lucky. It depends on how desperate Stefan and Vladimir are to convince Hugo. If they've marked it off, it'll be impossible. But if they still believe that he can be persuaded, then we may have a chance."
"We have to try. I won't have you killed by our own people, Caesar. I won't," I said, jaw set.
"We'll need a back-up plan, if things go awry and we're forced to stay here. Hugo is easier to spot, as he's the only child in the Romanian army. But they'll need something distinctive to be able to distinguish me from the others."
"Like a crest?" I asked, struck with a sudden thought.
"Ideally, yes. Except for the small matter that we don't happen to possess one," Caesar said.
"You don't, but I do. If we can't get to Volterra, I'll give you my crest to wear. It's one of a kind, any member of the Volturi will know whose it is and what it signifies," I said.
"I think it may be wise to have crests for myself - and Hugo, if possible - regardless of if we make it to Volterra or not," Caesar said. "Not all of the Volturi's forces will see me on my visit, that's far too dangerous. Hugo and I have already sworn our loyalty to you; that alone is enough of a cause for us to be given crests."
"So we have a plan?" I asked. "I mean, you're the war strategist, after all."
"We have a plan," he confirmed. "You're quite the strategist yourself. Give it a few centuries and even I would be worried about going up against you. Not that I ever would."
"I should hope not, after all we've been through," I said, grinning at him.
He offered me a small smile in response and checked his watch. "We still have forty-five minutes before you're set to meet Maxim to train your gift. Make sure you bring him up to speed of what is going on. Until then, however…"
"You're going to kick my ass and call it training?" I asked, arching an eyebrow.
Caesar smirked. "Something like that, yes."
When we met less than an hour later, the date of the battle was the first thing I said to Maxim. "June fifth."
"August twenty-second," he said in response.
I stared at him blankly. "Huh?"
"I'm sorry, I thought we were just saying random days," he deadpanned. "Don't worry, I knew what you meant. Feels much more real now that there's a date attached to this battle, doesn't it?"
"Yes, it does," I agreed. "There's a strategy meeting in half an hour that we're going to listen in on. Caesar and I have made a plan to get he, I, and Hugo to Volterra."
"Why the hell would you want to do that?" he asked sharply. "It could blow our whole cover."
"It won't," I said, pretending to ignore his tone. "The kings along with the higher guard need to know what Caesar and Hugo look like so they won't just kill them on sight. Especially since it will be obvious that Caesar is higher in the ranks."
"Makes sense, I suppose. But don't you have a burner phone? Just take a picture."
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, and I would have done that first thing if the burner phone had a camera. But it doesn't, so we're on plan B."
He raised an eyebrow. "Let me get this straight - plan A was a plan that you couldn't even enact to begin with? You started on plan B?"
"It's a figure of speech, smartass," I said. "Aren't we supposed to be training?"
"As a matter of fact, yes. What time is that meeting of theirs, again?"
"Five-thirty, which gives us," I checked my watch, "twenty-five minutes."
"We'll work on using your gift today. After a few more days - because that's all we can really spare - we'll begin using our gifts against each other in mock fights. Understand?"
"Seems straightforward enough," I said, though the thought of allowing my gift to be used offensively as it so much wanted was a little unsettling.
"You already look nervous," Maxim said, arms folded across his chest. "And I can feel your fear rising."
"I can't help it!" I snapped. "If I slip up and my gift takes over, our whole cover is blown."
"I understand that," he said, remarkably calm, "but you keep forgetting that you control your gift. It does not, and should not, control you."
"The shadows have always been somewhat sentient, even when I was human."
"They're not. Your gift appears that way because it can be controlled by your subconscious or instincts, even now. And it's your instincts, aggravated by your fears and your heightened newborn emotions, that command your shadows when you lose control."
"But they whisper to me." I wasn't entirely sure why I told him this. It was something I hadn't told anyone else, not even my mates.
"You only hear what you are already thinking and feeling. Your brain creates what it wants to hear," Maxim said. "And if you cannot control your feelings and impulses, your instincts and fears will continue to rule your gift."
"How do I regain control, then?" I asked.
"Practice. You must use it and learn to not be afraid of it. And as I said yesterday, meditate. Mastery of self, mastery of gift."
"So I have two weeks to get a grip. Great," I said, angry at myself more than anything. Angry that I was too week to even control my own gift.
"Very few vampires have the sort of self-discipline it takes to truly master their gifts, especially when it comes to gifts as volatile and reactive as ours," Maxim stated. "When I was a newborn, my gift would lash out as well. If I became too angry, I could kill humans and incapacitate vampires from fear alone. Until I learned control, I was just as afraid of my gift as you were."
"How long did it take for you to master your gift?" I asked.
There was a brief pause before Maxim said, "Twelve years. But I had no one to help me. David, my protégé, mastered his gift within a year thanks to my help."
"I hope you have a crash-course version, then, because we have fourteen days," I said.
"Which is why we need to get started. First things first, conceal us both within shadow. I have yet to experience this facet of your gift firsthand."
Maxim worked with me through the different elements of my gift. Now that I knew the shadows were controlled by me, my subconscious, it was easier to identify why my control slipped. But it didn't stop my lack of control. Any thoughts of the enemy and my gift lashed out. I had nearly injured Maxim more than once.
"It's bad, isn't it?" I asked him, after he called for me to stop. The shadows receded, snapping at his heels.
Maxim frowned. "It's worse than I thought."
"You said your gift was the last resort, but-"
"No," he said sharply. "Not yet. If there's no progress by the day before the battle, we'll do it then. For now, we need to listen to this meeting Caesar is part of."
It was obvious there would be no arguing with him. Wordlessly, I brought the shadows up and around us, focusing on Caesar. His voice floated through the shadows.
"-except for the small problem that the boy you've chosen to go up against the witch twins refuses to use his gift for harm."
"We'll let Doyle have another go at him, then. One way or another, he'll be convinced," Vladimir said.
"With all due respect, master, I don't see that working. If the first session wasn't successful, who's to say the second will, or the third?" I recognized Ana's voice. "If the boy refuses to fight, then we need a backup plan. My gift is similar enough to Jane's, if I could get close enough I could take them both down. It's well-known the twins stay close."
"We need you out of the way of the battle to keep us informed about what's going on. The Italian scum won't be able to foresee our attacks or overhear our plans," Stefan said. His voice made my skin crawl, and the shadows surrounding Maxim and I grew restless.
"If I may suggest an alternate solution? One that may convince the boy to fight for us, seeing how violence has not worked in the past?" Caesar asked.
"Let's hear your plan, Caesar," Athenodora said. "After all, Vladimir, not all problems can be solved with a heavy hand."
"Thank you, Lady Athenodora. Perhaps a trip outside these walls to catch a glimpse of what we're facing, paired with stories of the Volturi's savagery, would be a more effective method of persuasion. Children learn through object lessons, after all."
"Go on," Vladimir said.
"I take the boy to Italy to see the Volturi's stronghold. We wouldn't come close to its walls, so there'd be no chance of discovery. Tell him of how the Volturi have wronged vampirekind. Let him see for himself how they sit in their castle and send others to fight for them rather than doing any sort of work themselves."
"And would Cullen be on this trip of yours?" Stefan asked.
"Yes. I know you will say my partiality blinds me, master, but allow me to elaborate why it is a wise course of action," Caesar said.
Stefan started speaking, but Vladimir cut him off. "I'm intrigued by your idea, Caesar, and I'm half inclined to allow it so long as you're not gone more than a day. Why is Cullen a necessity?"
"One reason is that, as her assignment, the boy is her responsibility. He trusts her, and with her backing my stories, he'll be more inclined to join us. However, the second reason is her combat abilities. I do not exaggerate when I say she is a natural, even holding her own against Doyle. Ana can attest to this. And should the Volturi somehow become aware of our presence, I feel there is a much higher chance of the boy's safe return with another capable fighter in our company."
"Ana, is this true?" Sulpicia asked.
"Yes. She even came close to beating Xander once. I've never seen anything like it during my time in the ring," Ana conceded. "If Caesar feels an additional companion to be necessary, Cullen would be a wise choice."
"I can see the logic behind your reasoning, Caesar. I approve your plan, but only with the stipulation I've previously mentioned. You are to be gone no more than twenty-four hours, as your presence here is essential. Sam and Doyle, however, can work in your absence," Vladimir said. "What say you, Stefan?"
"I suppose you can be spared for a day," Stefan said. "You, Cullen, and the boy may travel to Italy. If your attempt to persuade the boy is not successful, however, Vladimir and I will act as we see fit to ensure his cooperation."
"Understood," Caesar said crisply. "What time should we depart?"
"Midnight," Vladimir said. "I have faith in you, Caesar. Do not fail us."
"No, master."
I let the shadows melt away now that the plan Caesar and I had concocted was secured.
Maxim was staring at me, impressed. "Well I'll be damned. It worked."
"Looks like I'm going to Volterra," I said, and couldn't help the grin that spread across my face.
"Careful," Maxim warned. "You see your mates, the bond forms fully. The pain of the bond that you feel will be worse when you return."
"No worse than what they've been feeling this whole time," I pointed out.
"True. You realize, however, that you cannot let them see you?" Maxim asked. "Because if they do…"
"They would never let me leave again," I finished his trailing sentence. "I didn't think of that."
"It may be easier for you to not enter the city at all," Maxim said.
"No. I have to see them. I know it'll make the pain of the bond worse, but it'll help me remember why I'm here," I said.
"The bond is a powerful thing for a vampire," he warned. "You've only ever experienced it as a human. If you're not careful, you'll reveal yourself unintentionally."
"I can do this, Maxim," I said.
He eyed me. "I can see you're determined. I suppose we'll find out if that's enough."
"I need to tell Hugo the news," I said, checking my watch. It was practically seven already, and Maxim would be expected back at his post shortly.
"Don't forget to work on meditation," Maxim said. "Be careful out there, and I'll see you at combat training."
"You do the same. See you, Maxim," I said, slipping out of the room. He would wait a few minutes before doing the same, as to not rouse any sort of suspicion.
"You're back," Hugo beamed as I entered his room.
"Yes, and I have news," I said, plopping down on his couch and ruffling his curls.
His eyes brightened with curiosity. "What sort of news?"
"You, Caesar, and I will be going on a trip tomorrow," I said.
"Really? To where?" he asked, bouncing in his seat.
I grinned. "That's for us to know and you to find out."
"Like a surprise?"
"Yeah, exactly like a surprise," I agreed. "Vladimir and Stefan have approved it, but you should keep it quiet. It would draw attention."
"Won't us being gone draw attention anyway?" Hugo asked.
"Good point, smarty pants. But we'll deal with that when it comes, alright? Until then…" I mimed zipping my lips shut, an action Hugo copied. "Good."
Caesar arrived shortly after to relay the news, but I made sure he kept our destination a secret for Hugo's sake. A visit to Volterra would be exactly the thing to lift his spirits, which were waning the longer we stayed within the clutches of the Romanians.
I also decided to keep the news of our trip from the kings; they would find out soon enough, and the less time they had to consider how to keep me within the castle, the greater my chances to slip out again with Caesar and Hugo. I could only hope that Alice would be wise enough to keep the information of our visit to herself.
I did, however, let them know of the date of the battle.
"Caesar told me they've decided on a date," I told the three. "June fifth."
"We'll have to ask Alice when she returns if she can see a location, now that the date has been settled," Aro said.
"Has she been gone all day?" I asked, relieved. No chances for her to mention my decision to visit Volterra.
"Yes, they still refuse human blood. But it doesn't seem to weaken them, at least not perceptibly, so it shouldn't give them any disadvantage in the battle," Caius said. "Your father actually beat Santiago in a spar the other day; it was quite impressive."
"Not that you'd ever tell him that," I said, grinning.
Caius chuckled. "Correct."
"Has Caesar mentioned anything about a location, tesoro?" Marcus asked.
"No. I'll ask when I see him next," I said. Tomorrow, they'd be able to ask him themselves, a thought which filled me with giddiness. I could almost fool myself into thinking that we were returning for good, that nothing was wrong. Almost.
"Good, please do," Aro said. "Is there any other news?"
"Not currently," I said. "Maxim has been working on me to better control my gift so I'll be ready to use it in the battle."
"How is he faring among the Romanians?" Aro asked.
"Excellent. He makes a skilled double-agent; his naturally surly personality and what they know of his gift means they suspect nothing at all," I said. "If I didn't already know he was an ally, he'd have me fooled, too."
"I knew he was the right choice," Aro said, voice smug.
I grinned in amusement. "He absolutely was. I think our gifts will end up working well together."
"I agree, as both of your gifts have a tendency to be perceived as evil - though neither darkness nor fear are anything more than parts of life," Marcus said.
I was tempted to ask about Maxim's gift, to know what exactly he was so determined to keep from me, but I kept silent. I wanted Maxim to trust and respect me, and he would do neither if I went behind his back to get information about him.
Instead, I made my goodbyes to the three a little early. "Caesar wants to speak with Hugo and I right at eleven, which is his free hour, so I need to be back in the castle before then to make sure Hugo gets there in time."
"We understand," Marcus said. "You will be safe?"
"As safe as I can," I promised. I could offer them nothing more. "Two weeks, and then it's over."
"Two weeks," Caius murmured. "We will win this war. For you."
"For everyone," I corrected. "For Felix."
"You'll have your revenge," Aro said. "Two more weeks, and it's yours."
"They will be very sorry," I said. Sorry for far more than just Felix's murder. Sorry for everything they had done that I could not tell my mates about.
They'd be sorry.
"I have to go," I said, checking my watch. "Love you all."
We said our goodbyes, and I sent a text to Alice requesting she keep any visions about me to herself before I hurried back to the castle, arriving back in Hugo's bedroom only five minutes before we were set to go visit Caesar. I had no doubt he wanted to discuss our journey. We made our way to Caesar's quarters at a human pace.
"Good, you're here. There's some things we need to discuss before tomorrow," Caesar said when I opened the door. "Does Hugo know where we're going yet, Rowan?"
I made sure the door was securely shut before speaking. "Hugo, we're going to Volterra."
"For real?" Hugo demanded, looking thrilled.
"For real. I got approval just fifteen minutes ago for us to leave at any time between now and midnight, as this is considered my free hour. Before we go, there are some things you both need to know."
"Go on," I urged, eager to leave as soon as possible.
"First, it's wisest if you remain within the shadows for the entire duration of our trip," Caesar told me. "The last thing we need is for you to be prevented from leaving, even if it's believed to be in your best interest."
"I was planning on it anyway," I said.
"Good. Second, under no circumstance will Hugo or I be making skin-to-skin contact with Aro in any way. At first I was inclined to allow him to see my memories, if only for the intel I possess-"
"Aro is gifted?" Hugo interrupted.
"Yes. He can see all your thoughts and memories with just a touch. But due to the knowledge you and I have of what Rowan's experienced while here, Hugo, it's wisest that he makes no physical contact with us. They need a clear head, and our memories will only serve as a distraction. Agreed?" Caesar directed the question at me.
"I agree. And not that I don't trust Aro, of course, but it may be wisest if I write that request down for you to give to him. You should both wear gloves as well, just in case," I said.
Caesar nodded his agreement. "Good thinking. We'll have to pick some up for us along the way."
"Is there anything else before we leave?" I asked, the question just as much for me as it was the other two.
"What do we do if Aro tries to read our thoughts anyway?" Hugo asked, wringing his hands.
"I fully believe he will respect Rowan's wishes, Hugo, but if he does not-"
"I'll step in," I interjected.
"Absolutely not. You're pushing it by just being in their presence. They'll no doubt notice the shift in the bond, how it will have become suddenly less painful. Under no circumstance are you to reveal yourself to them," Caesar said sternly. "If Aro does choose to take matters into his own hands, however, I will take care of it. Though I believe Marcus or Caius would step in before it reached that point, anyhow."
"Alright," I agreed reluctantly, though I had very little intention to actually listen to Caesar. If things started going south, I would intercede.
"No more questions?" Caesar asked, looking towards Hugo, who shook his head. "Good. Since that's the case, we leave now."
We stopped outside the castle to retrieve my crest and burner, all three of us hidden in the shadows, before we began our run back to Volterra.
Back home.
⊱ ────── {.⋅ V ⋅.} ────── ⊰
They're going back to Volterra, yay! What do you think is in store for them there? Will Rowan reveal herself, either accidentally or on purpose? Stick around for the next update to find out! In the meantime, leave a comment letting me know what you thought of this chapter! As always, a big thanks to all those who have left comments on the previous chapters, you guys rock! Here are some replies to those comments:
lxslbrn: So glad I managed to make it as part of your quarantine addiction, haha! I love writing Hugo's relationship with Rowan and I'm so excited to get to write him truly interacting with the kings. I think you all will really enjoy that. As for the wedding... I can't say much about it, but you will be getting to read it. Thank you for reviewing!
LovelyFantasies: Well thank you for reviewing! As writers, we LOVE getting reviews, no matter how short! I'm so glad you've enjoyed Rowan's journey and I hope you stick around for what's still in store!
cxrclet: Wow, thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed reading Tenebrous and Penance (and in basically one sitting, that's impressive)! Yeah, I think I've made a lot of enemies when I went and killed off Felix, my bad. It is war, though. Thank you so much for your support and kind words, I really appreciate it! I hope you continue to enjoy my work 3
To my regular reviewers, know that I appreciate your reviews so so much! I try to reply to a variety of different users each update, if possible, so just because I haven't responded doesn't mean I am any less thankful for the time you took to leave your thoughts.
Anyways guys, thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed this past chapter! You all are awesome, so remember to be safe, stay healthy, and take care of yourselves! Until next chapter!