ELIZABETH CANTERBURY
:DealerJasper, Luke and I browsed some rather upmarket shops in Oxford Street while Carlisle found somewhere to park his car. We were soon joined by Alistair, who looked stressed. His eyes were fading to a smouldering gold. Jasper immediately wanted to know what Alistair was so upset about.
"What's happened Alistair?" Jasper asked.
"Nothing – I just nearly lost control. I'm a bit spooked." Alistair explained. It didn't quite add up though – three days ago he didn't have a problem with killing people at all.
"Did you follow Kristian?" Jasper pressed for more information.
"Yes. He's safe. Leave him." Alistair said assertively. Jasper made no more attempts to get information out of Alistair, but I wasn't satisfied with what I'd heard.
"Alistair, where is Kristian?" I asked.
"He's on his way here." Alistair murmured.
"Where has he been all this time?"
"Stop being so curious, you don't need to know." Alistair said coolly, busying himself admiring a long leather coat which was hung up on the wall.
"You'll be lucky to afford a carrier bag in here, Alistair. This place is ridiculous." Luke warned him.
None of us said anything for a few minutes as the men thumbed through clothes and I gave them thumbs ups and thumbs downs. Alistair sighed as he moved away from the coat he seemed to be besotted with. Jasper smiled, passing Alistair £300 in fifty pound notes. I still hadn't gotten used to Carlisle and Jasper being so... rich! Alistair tried to hand it back, insisting he didn't even feel the cold so a coat wasn't necessary.
Jasper replied "If it makes you less upset about losing your old one, it means I can listen to Elizabeth's emotions more easily without being distracted by your mourning!"
Luke sniggered and I gave him a sharp dig in the ribs. Alistair's coat was obviously his pride and joy. What else did he have to be proud of?
The new coat did suit Alistair very well. It fell to just below his knees; fitting his athletic physique perfectly. I gave him a definite thumbs up. At that moment, Carlisle returned from parking the car and immediately commented on the coat. He patted Alistair on the shoulder.
"Suits you, sir" he joked, but not quite getting the tone of voice right. I suppose vampires didn't watch a lot of television.
"Where's Kristian?" Carlisle enquired.
"Busy." Alistair's face dropped.
I panicked when I thought that the Volturi might have already reached him. I gripped Luke's hand tightly. Jasper scowled at the negative mood.
"I've never been to London before," Carlisle announced. "I'd love to see some sights, if you could give me a whirlwind tour, Elizabeth?"
I was relieved that Carlisle changed the subject. I agreed to without hesitation.
We browsed some more stupidly expensive shops in Oxford Street and Regent Street. Carlisle bought himself some pristine white leather shoes, which any human simply couldn't look gorgeous in. Jasper admired a baseball bat but he didn't want to carry it around with him all day. I just found that so human, it was funny. We saw Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament. When we visited Buckingham Palace Alistair kindly informed us the Queen was at Balmoral.
We finished at St. Pauls Cathedral at around seven o clock in the evening. I had never seen it before either, and the architecture and sheer size of the dome astounded me. Alistair became tense, his hands shaped into claws aggressively.
"Jasper; take Luke and Elizabeth inside the Cathedral." Carlisle instructed him. Jasper nodded, leading the way through the heavy wooden doors. Luke hesitated; he wanted to know what was wrong with Alistair. I did too – but I trusted Carlisle's judgement. I pulled Luke inside by his arm.
The Cathedral was enormous. There were a seemingly infinite number of pews stretching to a breathtaking alter at the far end. The place was scattered with golden ornaments, candles, tombs and memorial plaques. There were not many people around; it was close to closing time. The odd tourist was snapping photos and two people praying in separate pews. The grand scale of the place made me feel small and insignificant. I wondered to myself if there was a God who was allowing all of this to happen to me. Had he known this would happen all along?
I realised why Alistair was worried. The Volturi were here.
Carlisle burst in through the door, disturbing the people praying and alarming the tourists who subtly scuttled out once Carlisle had calmed down.
"I know they're here." I announced.
"Alistair thinks they'll meet us here... So much for a mortal audience." He said. His voice worried me; it had a hint of pessimism in it, like he was expecting defeat.
Jasper looked angry. "We should have bought the others, Carlisle. Rosalie would come; Alice and Esme had already offered!" He reminded us.
"Don't think like that, for goodness sake." Luke said, tightening his arm around my shoulders. "The Volturi have no right to Elizabeth. She can't be passed around like some sort of possession!"
"How long do we have, Carlisle?" Jasper asked tentatively.
"Forty five minutes." Carlisle informed us bleakly.
"Do we run?" Jasper asked.
"No. We stay right here. We mustn't look weak and run. We mustn't look aggressive and advance."
Alistair joined us inside about ten minutes after Carlisle's announcement. He had taken his hair down from his familiar pony tail and it draped over his face. I could still see he was in pain. His brother was still missing.
"Where is Kristian?" I asked; the first statement since Carlisle's order to remain in the Cathedral.
"He'll be here." Alistair murmured. I didn't dare to attempt to dive deeper for answers. Alistair was a deadly predator. I didn't want to push him too far. He ran his fingers through his hair. He looked remotely more human when his angular face shape was hidden.
"How many are they bringing?" Jasper asked.
"Only one elder." Alistair said, relieved. "They didn't expect Elizabeth to be able to put up this type of fight. Ten, maybe twenty guards at the most. But – that does include Alec."
"Not Jane?" Jasper enquired.
"No."
"How peculiar; I have never known the twins to be separated." Jasper said. The relief from only one elder was coming was replaced with a curious, worried expression.
"That's not our main concern." Carlisle said. Turmoil began to taint his natural charisma. "We need to persuade the Volturi to stop their operation. Hundreds of humans will end up cursed if they continue."
Jasper's mobile phone rang. I was so relieved to hear even a dull electronic version of Kristian's voice, at last.
"Kristian – meet us in St. Pauls." Was all Jasper said. Kristian said three or four words before Jasper placed his phone back in his pocket. "He's fine. He's coming to help us."
I overflowed with happiness and Luke's face lit up when we heard the news. Alistair however, who obviously knew Kristian's intentions, did not look in the slightest bit pleased; I couldn't imagine why.
Alistair became very fidgety in the moments leading up to the Volturi's arrival. His eyes were dark – he couldn't last long on animal blood yet. In the same gaze I saw Carlisle's eyes, which had been a constant golden brown, were also beginning to darken.
Luke and I sat cross legged in front of the large, elaborate alter. He stroked my face and lifted my chin, stopping me gazing at the floor.
"I've never been one for churches," Luke began, "But I gotta hand it to them, this place is pretty amazing."
I tried my hardest to smile, but none of the golden artefacts or ornaments gleamed brighter than his eyes. As I struggled to focus on his face, I briefly saw the version of Luke from my dream... the frozen, dead version I had killed. I blinked quickly, shaking the image from my mind. Luke would not get hurt, I would not allow it. Despite my stubbornness, I wondered how happy he could be if I was hurt. If I died, I had no idea whether Luke could appreciate life anymore. I wouldn't live without him; that much I'd proven.
I needed some time to contemplate the several possible outcomes of the impending confrontation. Firstly, we could all die. Secondly, I could end up a vampire, but at least that meant I could be with Luke – I would make a way to be with him. Lastly, the Volturi could get bored of my completely mediocre ability and go and hunt someone else. I sat cradled in Luke's arms for a long time, praying that everyone I loved would come out of this unharmed.
Everyone stood when the Volturi vampires entered the Cathedral. Alistair came to stand with me and Luke in front of the large alter; Carlisle and Jasper greeted their pale, sinister looking leader. I felt tears fill my eyes, but I didn't let them fall down my cheek.
All of the Volturi wore long, black hooded cloaks. It reminded me of my own that I had worn to my prom. I shivered. Jasper emitted a wave of tranquillity which I appreciated very much. I sank into Luke's shoulder; Alistair stood just in front of us, defensively. The Volturi moved with an unspoken order; just like a flock of birds all moving in synchronisation. It appeared that one of the Volturi elders headed the group of twenty or so vampires – all of which had blood red eyes. They're presence was chilling. The leader hardly ever blinked and definitely didn't breathe.
"Good evening, Caius." Carlisle said coolly. Carlisle utilised his immense charisma and charm to initiate a calm conversation.
"Carlisle; I wished it would be longer before I saw your face again." Caius spat in return.
"On the contrary, it is a pleasure to be honoured with your presence, as usual." Carlisle remained calm.
"I did not expect to be stalled by three such familiar faces." Caius said, snapping his sharp eyes to Jasper and Alistair. His voice was as menacing as he looked – a low, gruff, rumble.
"Demetri didn't warn you?" Carlisle asked out of curiosity.
"We're only here for the girl, Carlisle." Demetri, one of the guards, snapped.
"The girl doesn't deserve this, Caius. No human does." Carlisle said.
"Humans don't deserve to be devoured, in your humble opinion." Caius replied, gently cackling.
"Caius please; turning innocent humans is monstrous. There is no excuse for this. You are preparing for a war that your supposed opposition do not want, Caius. Please, stop this cruelty at once." Carlisle asked, his flawless voice beginning to quiver ever so slightly. That alone scared me. Caius glided forwards to Carlisle and Jasper, taking Carlisle by the hand. Caius's skin much paler than Carlisle's; like frosted glass.
"Why is it you are so attached to humans and wolves, Carlisle? It isn't good for you. It isn't good for any of us." Caius asked, tilting his head and narrowing his eyes.
"It is better for them." Carlisle defended his beliefs. "Is that not reason enough?"
Caius sighed as Demetri tried to alert him of something – something that immediately opened the door of the great Cathedral tentatively. A slender man of average height, a mask covering his face, stood in the doorway. Kristian had arrived. He was followed by a very tall woman I did not recognise. Her face was emotionless yet she appeared proud in the way she held herself. Lastly entered a black shape moving in the darkness... a shape I instantly recognised as Olivia.
Olivia bounded over to Alistair's side; he loosened his fists into claws in response. Kristian addressed Caius from the doorway.
"Caius; it's been a long time." He said, all too casually for my liking.
"Again; not long enough." Caius responded without even turning to see his new enemy.
"I can offer you more power than Elizabeth, Caius. I can offer you a better exchange."
I had no idea what Kristian was doing; this was not one of the three possible endings I had imagined. Panic consumed me when I realised the girl behind him was silently crying. He could not trade her in my place, I wouldn't allow it! The tears in my eyes overflowed as I let out a small scream. I covered my mouth quickly, but Caius' attention still drifted to me. In that instant, Luke phased, tearing all of Carlisle's gifts into pieces. He let out a threatening roar from the pit of his stomach. Olivia, surprisingly, followed suit.
Caius smiled, letting out a small sigh, shaking his head. "You've resorted to cats, Carlisle? No more wolves?"
Carlisle raised his hand, stopping the two panthers immediately. Kristian interjected, "Wouldn't a succubus be more of an asset than a weathergirl?"
Caius' nostrils flared in anger as he turned to face Kristian. "Do not interfere in what you know nothing of, Kristian." Caius warned.
"Wouldn't you agree, Caius? The ability to incapacitate and heavily influence a target through excessive lustful thoughts would be useful, am I right?" Kristian urged him.
Kristian walked into the Cathedral, the girl following. I tried to protest to Kristian's sickening plan; I ran forwards to stop all of this at once. I was stopped by Alistair, who gripped my arms tightly behind my back. The two panthers rallied at my feet.
"What the hell are you doing Kristian? Carlisle! Don't let him do this!" I begged.
The girl looked at me with her stunning blue eyes and smiled weakly. She appreciated my efforts but she had already accepted what she was here to do. Carlisle shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
"What makes you think this is a better option, Kristian?" Carlisle asked him.
"Caius, Aro and Marcus get their weapon and Elizabeth goes unharmed." Kristian explained; his voice harsh but quiet. The girl turned to Caius and unleashed her amazing eyes upon him.
"I have no life as a human, Caius. My name is Lilia Reid. I run a small bar in Soho which is close to going bust. I've gone from lover to lover because of my constant urge for intimacy that no one understands!" She announced. "If I could live a life, an existence, where I was led by those with amazing power and insight..."
"Enough, Lilia." Caius commanded; his eyes closed in thought. A young Volturi guard stepped forwards, raising his right hand towards Lilia, who at first became dazed. Within fifteen seconds she had collapsed on the floor and I let out another scream behind my hand.
"That was unnecessary, Caius." Carlisle announced. The young boy turned to him and raised his hand threateningly.
"Alec that is quite enough." Caius ordered. The boy sulked back into the front line of the crowd of Volturi.
"I am willing to bargain with you, Kristian. Even as a human the girl does have outstanding... features." Caius agreed. "With one condition. A punishment, if you will; for not only attempting to defy me, but for being so weak and leaving us after one little scrap..."
"That was almost a different lifetime, Caius." Kristian argued.
"Alas, you are right." Caius agreed. "But my condition still stands."
"What is this condition?" Carlisle asked.
"Prove your worth to me, Kristian. You were weak amongst us, you are weaker alone. Turn the girl yourself. Turn her now." Caius demanded.
Kristian ran his long fingers through his hair, obviously in agonising emotional turmoil.
"She won't feel a thing, honest." Caius said sarcastically.
"And you'll let Elizabeth go free?" Kristian asked.
"And the kittens and your other vampire allies... all safe." Caius said convincingly.
Carlisle tried to help Kristian. "It's your decision Kristian. Think of the greater good."
Kristian glanced over to me. Through his mask it looked like his amber eyes were full of tears. "Elizabeth, I know you won't be pleased with my decision. Rest assured you'll never have to see my face again once this is finished."
Olivia whimpered and Luke stood in front of her, blocking her line of sight to Lilia, still collapsed on the floor of the Cathedral. Alistair tried to turn me away but I didn't let him. He covered my mouth before I could shout back to Kristian, and Jasper almost incapacitated me with a surge of sickening, unexpected happiness.
Carlisle crouched aggressively. I watched through my tears as Kristian knelt on the floor, stroking Lilia's neck.
"For Elizabeth" Kristian whispered, tilting Lilia's head upwards and admiring the shape of her jaw. In an instant he was sinking his venomous teeth into the pale and fragile skin of her neck. I spotted Caius glance at Alec, who snapped his fingers. Immediately, Lilia let out a blood curdling scream that echoed through the halls of the Cathedral. It was at that point I fainted in Alistair's arms, the relief of unconsciousness so much more comfortable and inviting than what life had left to offer.
:NomadsI woke up too slowly. Horrifying images of Kristian and Lilia played on my mind; her last scream echoing in my ears. Kristian was a monster, and I couldn't shake that fact from my mind. He was my protector. It took me a few minutes to realise where I was. Luke cradled me in the back seats of Carlisle's Mercedes. I immediately burst into tears when I had gained enough control of myself to. Luke comforted me as best he could, but nothing would erase the image and sound of Lilia's last compulsory breath.
"Elizabeth, shhh... everything's going to be okay. We're all safe now. Listen! Shhhh... It's all right, I'm here now..." Luke repeated over and over again. I curled into his chest, feeling an unfamiliar fabric between me and his warm skin. He'd obviously had to borrow some more clothes. I managed to string some words together to communicate a sentence.
"Where... where are the others?" I asked him, trying to restrain my tears.
"Carlisle's at a clothes store, Jasper is making sure the Volturi leave. Alistair and Olivia are still in the Cathedral. Please, shhh now." He soothed me. He'd left Kristian out of his answer on purpose.
"Where's Kristian?" I prompted him. He stroked my cheek with his fingers, pushing my damp hair away from my face.
"He's gone, Elizabeth." He said reluctantly. I said nothing. I knew he wouldn't be able to live with himself after what he'd had to do to save me. I wanted to know why he'd done it. Why sacrifice another human to save me? It didn't seem like a fair exchange.
"Olivia is glad she came. She's so sorry for what she said to you. She knows she was irrational. She wants a new start." Luke explained once I had composed myself.
"Why did she come?" I whispered.
"Kristian found her and convinced her you hadn't changed. Deep down, she knows you were just under a lot of stress." Luke wiped a tear from my chin. I choked; stress didn't begin to describe any of it.
I lay in Luke's arms for a long time. We were both silent. Things would be very different without Kristian in my life.
At around half past eleven, Carlisle tapped on the window behind my head. Luke opened the door with his left arm and returned to holding me. Carlisle placed a bag of new clothes into the foot well, obviously for Luke to travel home in. I sat up before Carlisle left; I had a lot I needed to say.
"Carlisle; thank you for everything."
Carlisle nodded, but he looked like he felt uncomfortable. He shut the door and headed out into the night. I remembered his eyes were almost black; he was off to hunt. I admired Carlisle. He was the most selfless, loving person I had ever met – yet he was not judgemental or arrogant. His pale, soft face stayed in my mind, he looked like a seasoned peace keeper, trying to reason with the Volturi. I wondered about his past, how long he had been a vampire, and how he managed to live within a human society.
Jasper arrived at the window shortly after Carlisle had left. I spoke to him more calmly, trying not to scare him away.
"Thank you Jasper. It wasn't just your talents that made this whole thing a hell of a lot easier." I smiled. He smiled back, which was an absolutely beautiful sight. I climbed out of the car and he took my hand and kissed it lightly. I ran my hands through my own hair, which was a matted mess.
"I want you to do something for me." Jasper said.
"Anything." I promised.
"Forget we exist, Elizabeth." Jasper said in a very pained voice. I was lost for words.
"I can't do that, Jasper. Alistair, you, Carlisle... you're like family to me now. You've saved my life!"
Luke watched me from the back seat of the car.
"Did Kristian ever tell you that we're monsters?" Jasper reminded me. "Well now you know. You've seen what we're capable of, Elizabeth. That's not right."
"Jasper, don't talk like that; stop. I have to remember you; all of you. I will remember you." I took him by surprise, hugging him tightly, although my head only reached his shoulders. He hugged me back, just as enthusiastically.
"You're like an annoying little sister. Luke?" He asked into the car.
"Yeah?" Luke replied.
"Bring Elizabeth to Forks sometime. I'll sort out some flights when you're ready. Now you've seen what we're capable of, you're ready to stay with a house full."
I beamed at the thought of meeting all of the vampires Kristian had told me about; but my heart ached at the sound of his name.
"Jasper – if you hear from Kristian..." I began.
"I won't be hearing from Kristian, Elizabeth." He interrupted me; another bout of tears welled up in my eyes. He hugged me again, with more compassion this time. "I'll leave you two alone. I think I need to join Carlisle." He said, but I didn't believe him; his eyes were bright amber. He patted me once on the shoulder, like a comrade, before he left into the blackness.
Luke gazed into my eyes and I studied them properly for the first time in too long. I found happiness there, without Jasper's help. Luke's arms wrapped around me like a blanket, his chest warm against my cheeks. Luke's deep green eyes, before long, were filled with tears too.
"I love you, Elizabeth." He said in an urgent yet passionate whisper. "More than you'll ever know."
