Chapter 2
(Amun's POV)
Looking at the expression of awe on Benjamin's face as he took in the Italian landscape and architecture in Volterra reinforced my belief about why he finally took a second stand against me and offered to help The Cullens against The Volturi. I felt some guilt over keeping him secluded, but the events over the past day revealed to me that the sacrifices he paid were worth it to me. It was clear that Benjamin's awe displaced some of his upset feelings, but not all of it. He had become quieter because he became what I wanted him to be, what he did not want to be. I hope that shortly, Benjamin's sacrifices will be worth it to him, too.
We soon arrived at the home of The Volturi with Kebi, Tia, Demetri, and Marcus.
"Marcus, when will the others arrive?" someone inside asked.
"They won't. Everyone else is dead. The Egyptian Coven is taking over," Marcus answered in a neutral tone.
"What?"
"Get the news spread," Marcus ordered.
"What happened?"
"Benjamin here killed them all," Demetri answered. "Now, get to work. The vampire world must learn the news as quickly as possible. This new regime takes over with Marcus' full and free endorsement as well as mine."
"But-"
"Now," Demetri interrupted.
We headed to the tower and were met by Corin. She didn't think much about Marcus putting his hands on her shoulders, so she was unprepared when Marcus grabbed her head and tore it off.
"No!" Demetri cried. "What did you do?"
"I freed the wives," Marcus answered. Everyone continued into the tower.
"They've probably become reliant on Corin's power," Demetri argued. "You know what that'll mean."
"It's better than the alternative," replied Marcus.
I was relieved that Corin had been eliminated. Her power could affect Benjamin, and that was unacceptable.
We continued into a room where Athenodora and Sulpicia sat with vacant expressions on their tired-looking faces. Marcus knelt in front of Sulpicia, who was closest, and took her hands.
"You're free now," Marcus said. "Both of you."
"Something's wrong," Athenodora whispered.
Marcus moved on to her and took her hands. "It'll pass."
"Where is my husband?" Sulpicia asked.
"Your husbands are both dead," Marcus answered.
Athenodora and Sulpicia looked at each other, expressionless.
"What happened?" Sulpicia asked. "Why are they here?"
"The Egyptians are taking over," Marcus answered.
"Amun," Athenodora acknowledged. "You did this?"
"Part of it, yes," I answered.
Both Sulpicia and Athenodora lunged towards me. Marcus grabbed Athenodora and I Sulpicia. Sulpicia seemed weak from withdrawal. It did not escape my notice that Benjamin did not move against either woman.
"They kept you both prisoners here," Marcus said. "Do not weep for your mates or attempt to avenge them. They squandered their gifts and deserved no mercy. They squandered you both and do not deserve your mourning. You are both free now from their grasp. You are free from Corin's power."
"Something's wrong," Athenodora repeated. "I don't feel well."
"Neither do I," Sulpicia added as she sat down, away from me.
"You became dependent on Corin's power. I fear you will feel worse before you get better, and your husbands are to blame. I will try to help you both get better."
"Marcus," Demetri called.
"Leave us. I will take care of them both from now on."
Demetri ushered us away and led us to a great hall. Three seats sat on an elevated level. I led Kebi to one of the seats and sat myself in the middle.
"Benjamin," I beckoned. "This will do until we set up something similar in Egypt. It will not be too long."
"I don't want the seat, not after what I did," Benjamin replied.
"You deserve it," I said. "We owe this new position to you."
Benjamin signaled to Tia that she should take the seat, and Tia looked to me for approval.
"She's smarter than I am," Benjamin argued.
"Benjamin would make an excellent guard," Demetri suggested.
"Kebi, Tia, and I will lead, then," I said, and Tia took her seat.
"The three of you look good up there," Demetri said.
"Was Aro planning on recruiting any more vampires into The Volturi?" I asked Demetri.
"He wanted to recruit the Cullens' other allies, but he started with Benjamin because you are located closer and you hiding Benjamin aroused his curiosity. There are unconfirmed reports of a vampire in southeastern China who has perfect aim when she fires weapons. We don't know if it is a supernatural ability with important implications or just skill and practice."
"Something that Aro and I agreed on was the benefit of a large coven with gifted vampires," I said. "Unlike Aro, apparently, I understand the necessity of genuine loyalty. Will you find candidates to join you in the new guard?"
"Of course," Demetri replied.
The day continued with Kebi and I customizing our temporary new home and making arrangements for the construction of a new wing to our house in Egypt. There were also some administrative matters needing our attention. After finding some free time, I wandered the halls and came upon Demetri and Benjamin talking in private.
"You are a vampire that drinks human blood," Demetri said.
"I know," Benjamin replied. "This was different. If I just waited, maybe some of them would've been our allies. Maybe they were innocent, but Chelsea . . ."
"I was under Chelsea's influence, too. I was not innocent. Her power was not about making vampires do things they did not want to do. You must understand that no one in The Volturi was innocent. You used your powers for a good purpose."
Benjamin looked like he didn't know what to say.
"The elimination of The Volturi is a good thing. Vampires need a fresh start."
Benjamin didn't seem fully convinced, but I believed Demetri made some progress. I knew that Benjamin would be fine soon enough.
"But it is good that you think these things," Demetri added. "You can keep your coven innocent, and me from now on. You can challenge Amun when it's the right thing to do. I think Aro's biggest flaw was that he was not willing to hear dissent. A good leader must be better than that. Amun can be better than that. You can help him."
I never felt as close to Demetri as I did Benjamin. The disappointment of losing Demetri to The Volturi must have driven me to put more effort into the next member of my coven. I watched the two of them talk and hoped that they would become brothers. Demetri could make an excellent big brother to Benjamin.
The next vampires I saw during my walk were Marcus, Athenodora, and Sulpicia. All three had suitcases packed.
"How are you three?" I asked.
"We'll be fine. Sulpicia and Athenodora just need time, and a lot of distance from here. We're taking our leave. This place is yours."
"Thank you, Marcus. Best luck and wishes, Athenodora and Sulpicia. I realize this would be an appropriate time to express my condolences on the loss of your mates, but after the pain they have caused so many, that wouldn't be truthful, and you both deserve the truth."
"I will never forgive you for taking our husbands away, Amun, but I will offer one piece of advice. Be better than them," Athenodora said.
"I will. I promise you that."
I believed that Benjamin would force me to be better. I believed that I would want to be better for him.