Chapter 11
We walk and talk in time
I walk and talk in two
Where does the end of me
Become the start of you
Tears for Fears, Change
Aro led them through several rooms on the first floor of the museum; the exhibits consisted largely of extensive collections of cinerary urns. ("Did you know, Edward, that we were the ones who started the practice of collecting the ashes after cremation? This was done so that we could keep an eye on the culprit. We are so very nearly indestructible!" He added dryly, "But humans use it for spiritual purposes, as I am certain Carlisle has told you."
Try and disregard the commentary if you can. Carlisle offered Edward a wry smile. He's merely attempting to justify their barbarism.
But Edward could tell he was enjoying the trip through the museum as much as Aro.)
For his part, Edward was quite eager to hear the history of his own kind, as it was something Carlisle almost never discussed.
"We, of course, did not settle here until the 5th century - "
"Yes, Carlisle told me." He blurted out, not wanting another snide exchange between the other two vampires.
Edward! We do not interrupt!
"Good boy!" Aro approved. "You are quick to defend your maker, as is only proper." Aro smiled at Carlisle before turning back to Edward.
"Did Carlisle tell you why?" The ancient creature tried to hide his curiosity but it was very obvious that he was eager to know.
"That you had tired of the nomadic existence and needed to settle someplace where the reduction in population wouldn't be noticed."
Carlisle audibly gnashed his teeth.
"Carlisle, you know, I quite like this boy of yours! He certainly says whatever comes to mind!" Aro chuckled and did not look at all offended. Edward was grateful, and avoided looking at Carlisle, who was making himself heard loud and clear in his head.
"Well, I won't pretend that wasn't a consideration! But the truth of the matter is that we were acquainted with the Bishop who resided here. Oh, yes, Edward," he waved his hand airily, dismissing Edward's questions before the boy had the opportunity to pose them. "We also have our human acquaintances. Most of our…. employees – My! But it has taken me a while to get used to that concept! – are human.
"As I was saying, the Bishop who resided here was our personal acquaintance who encouraged us to settle here. Volterra, or Velathri as it was originally called when it was founded in the seventh century BC, was one of the most important cities in the region. It was a center for culture as well as trade long before falling into Roman hands in the third century BC. It was known after that as Volaterrae." He gestured to the Roman mosaics. "The city even had a Roman theater! Which, of course, cinched the deal for me. How could I refuse, Edward? Imagine having all of your desires conveniently located in one place, and never having to move again!"
Edward was taken aback. How very much Aro seemed like Carlisle. If only he didn't know about all of the terrible things he had done, he might well imagine that their lives were completely compatible.
Of course, what he is failing to tell you, Edward, is that the Roman theater was notorious for its violence; a blood sport for the masses, if you will. The public need for ever intensifying excitement and action led eventually to the killing of innocents; it started with criminals and the gladiators, but ended with wholesale slaughter – even the murder of women and children. Carlisle's condemnation was palpable.
Edward checked himself before his rebellious nature got the better of him. He felt like asking Carlisle about his vicarious participation in murder, when he was seated beside Aro witnessing the execution of a man begging for mercy.
"How very fortunate we were to be able to sit still while the world came to us," Aro continued. "You will note that the city has retained much of its original structure, but I can assure you, Edward, the changes in government made for a constantly changing array of cultural norms!
"But, of course, Carlisle has taught you about cultural relativism?" He posed the question leadingly.
Oh, good God! Now he is going to tell you all about the cultural relativism of vampires?!
Edward turned and frowned at him. He was extremely interested in all that Aro was telling him and thought Carlisle was being rude. It was very out of character for the other vampire to speak so deprecatingly of anyone, and to treat an old acquaintance in such a manner struck him as "the height of bad form", as Carlisle was wont to say. He had higher expectations of his mate.
Carlisle registered the disapproving look with alarm. He certainly had not factored in the possibility that Edward might actually pay attention to anything that Aro had to say. He wanted to pull the boy aside and speak to him, but Edward was following Aro through the exhibit, hanging on his every word.
Edward! He called after him.
Edward halted for a fraction of a second, turning his head ever so slightly to the side in acknowledgment.
Edward, be very careful! He has winning ways – I thought so, too, when I first met him – but he is not what you think he is.
Edward nodded once and walked on. It was on the tip of his tongue to ask Carlisle if anyone was who he thought they were.
He suddenly realized, and was quite startled by the notion, that he was including himself in that rubric.
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They concluded their tour and Carlisle was pleasantly thanking Aro for taking the time to show them the museum, when Aro's eyes grew calculating.
"Carlisle!" He exclaimed, suddenly delighted with himself. "Why don't you and Edward come and stay with us for a while? We were so put out that you did not stop by when you were in Europe - though I must say I now understand that you would want to keep your lovely companion all to yourself!
"But how I have longed for your company!
"And it would give the others a chance to get to know Edward. To clear up the… misunderstandings others might have." There were so many reasons why it made perfect sense to Aro.
Carlisle stiffened. "That is very thoughtful of you, Aro, but, alas, we had not planned for an extended trip - "
"A few days, no more," the vampire conceded. "Just enough time for the others to discover how charming your Edward is and to appreciate that he is not as he is rumored to be."
"What Edward is rumored to be?" Carlisle's lips had disappeared into the thin line again.
"My dear friend," Aro shook his head sadly. "You must remember that I am but one voice and that others hear what they wish to hear."
The tension in the air was unmistakable. "Are you suggesting - " Carlisle began glacially.
"I am simply pointing out that oftentimes proximity reduces suspicion, my dear Carlisle," he said in his easy, sing-song voice. But he was deadly serious when he added, "I would think reducing suspicion would be something very much in your interests."
Carlisle was trapped. Again. "Edward," he spoke aloud for Aro's benefit, but his voice was strained. "Leave us for a moment so that we can speak."
And then, as if suddenly remembering himself, he turned to the boy and added softly, "Please go back to the inn. I will follow shortly."
Edward glanced at Aro, who nodded his assent, before he turned and vaulted easily through the window some twenty feet off the ground.
They waited until they could no longer hear his soft footfalls in the alley before resuming their conversation.
"Aro, has it never occurred to you that it might traumatize Edward to be placed back in the presence of his tormentors?"
"Has it never occurred to you that Edward might have exaggerated the matter? No, don't bristle!" Aro held up his hand to stem the torrent of objections.
"The boy was raped and tortured. Which part do you feel required exaggeration?" he snapped indignantly.
"Raped? Or," Aro paused delicately, lowering his eyes to deliver the crushing blow, "willingly participated in the game?"
"What?" Without warning, Carlisle lunged at him, only to be repelled by Renata's shield.
"Carlisle, tell me why it is that only when I am in the presence of the peaceful, God-fearing vampire that I find myself fearing for my neck?!
"Calm yourself, man!"
Carlisle's nails dug holes in his palms while he attempted to regain his composure. "You cannot believe that," he whispered harshly.
"I am repeating what I was told." Aro said coldly.
"I know what happened!" he was shouting again.
"How do you know? You were there?" He arched an eyebrow.
"No, but I saw the end result!" And faced with the skeptical look on Aro's face. "For God's sake, I examined him!"
"And what did that tell you?" He asked indifferently.
"That they.." Carlisle was gasping and choking on his own pain, rage, and impotence. "They… did things to him," he finally managed in a shaken tone.
"Again, you are making assumptions based on - " he sounded almost bored with the repetition.
"Ask them, then! You know how to get the information from them!" He had never loathed anyone more than Aro at that precise moment.
"You would ask me to accuse my own Guard?" Aro was more astounded by the man's audacity than the actual question.
"Alright. Don't ask. You don't even have to! - to know what happened," he sneered.
"How would that look? I am to champion the cause of a self-imposed exile and his newborn, male companion? You overestimate your worth to me, Carlisle," he said scornfully.
They stood facing one another in mute fury.
"Why were they there in the first place?" Carlisle started up the attack again.
"How should I know? They did not go under my directive."
"And no one thought to ask whose directive it was?" he said derisively.
"We are not that sort of company, as you know. What the others do is not my concern." Aro affected his bored countenance.
"Oh, the company you keep - " Carlisle spat contemptuously.
"Careful, Carlisle!" And he made no effort to disguise the threat. "You are treading dangerous waters."
Carlisle stood, breathing hard, but holding his tongue.
"Will you accept my proposition?" Aro asked quietly.
"I…" He shook his head in an endeavor to clear it. "I don't know. I need to speak with Edward first."
"Don't delay. The longer this matter goes on, the worse it will be for you."
"The worse - " he began bitterly.
"The worse it will be for Edward," said Aro softly. "I bid you good day, my old friend. Call on me when you are ready."
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Edward waited for Carlisle in their room, staring out the window to the empty streets below. He heard him long before he saw the lonely, graceful figure descending the alleyway.
We can't very well flee or we will spend the rest of our lives running. I refuse to live that way! I will not give up everything I have worked so hard to achieve.
Edward sat in uncomfortable silence, thinking in no small part how much more tranquil Carlisle's life would be without him. It wasn't that his maker had ever reproached him directly; it was the constant stream of references to their predicament that felt like blows upon a bruise.
The only way to refute their allegations would be to present them with incontrovertible proof – which we could do if we were to let Aro read Edward's mind, but that would expose his talent and then we would never make it out of here!
So his ability (curse) was the crux of the matter.
It probably isn't even Aro at all. And he's right - to appeal to him for help would only place him in the unfortunate position of having to defend us to the others!
So he could add deterioration of relationships to the growing list of his sins.
I should have left him at home!
But he had insisted that Carlisle permit him to accompany him, thinking he might actually be able to help, afraid to let Carlisle face them on his own.
Why did this have to happen to me? The man's despair hit him harder than anything else.
Edward felt worse with each passing second.
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Edward. Carlisle was only a few hundred feet from the entrance. Aro has asked us to come and stay with him. I don't want to!
Edward could feel the weight of fear dragging Carlisle down.
But I cannot think of another way.
Carlisle had never intended to make Edward a party to his indecision, but in his desperation, he found himself addressing the only other being he could confide in, if for no other reason than to have a sounding board for his angst.
"It's alright." Edward whispered reassuringly. "We'll think of something."
He knew Carlisle could hear him.
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They lay apprehensively in each other's arms, mulling over the unpleasant possibility.
If we go, we may never leave here.
"You did once before! Perhaps Aro is telling the truth! Maybe they do just want reassurance that we are not a threat."
Oh, my Edward, if you only knew them! His mind shuddered.
"Carlisle." He suddenly found his voice. "What were you like, when you were with them?"
What do you mean? He was suddenly alert.
"I mean," Edward took a deep breath to steady himself. "Did you do the things…. that they do?"
Edward! Why ever would you ask such a thing?
"Oh, never mind," he muttered.
"No! Tell me." Carlisle had raised himself up to balance on one arm. Was it something Aro said?
"No." Not Aro. It was the truth.
"Then why would you ask such a thing?"
"You stayed there for eighty years, Carlisle!" He clenched his teeth. He needed to know.
"I stayed," Carlisle said slowly, "because I was not permitted to leave." And then he looked at Edward with disbelief. "Did you think I stayed with them by choice?" He asked sharply.
"It's a long time to stay, Carlisle." He felt a little defensive.
By our standards, it is not so very long. He laid back down, satisfied that Edward's question was not more than it appeared to be. They were determined. And it took them awhile before they were convinced that they couldn't change me. But only after they had tried every possible means...
"And when you first joined them?"
Like you, I found Aro charming, erudite, open minded. He snorted disdainfully. Open minded!
"But you must have liked him! The way you feel about him - " Edward cut himself off.
Carlisle froze. What do you know of what I feel for him?
"Carlisle, I've seen your mind." He may as well own up to it.
Carlisle took a deep breath and closed his eyes. There was nothing more to hide from Edward. "It is true that Aro and I were great friends for many years. We shared a common love for learning. He offered me access to his libraries; the universities and hospitals here! The intellectual communities! I was in Heaven."
He turned and looked pleadingly at Edward. I was young and impressionable, Edward. Compared to the others I had seen, Aro seemed… refined. Even by human standards. When I left France, I was so lonely! The people I tried to treat were so ungrateful. Backward, illiterate peasants. He ground his teeth. Aro was so… refreshing. He appreciated me. He encouraged me. No one had ever done that for me. Not even my own father.
Edward, how could you understand? You have always had me. But I had no one!
"I do understand," said Edward quietly, regretting all that Carlisle had been subjected to. "But what I do not understand is how you went from such admiration to such loathing."
"Because…" Carlisle wasn't sure he knew the answer. But then, in the striking clarity of an epiphany, it came to him.
Because I could not change him.