CHAPTER FOURTEEN:
'Would you be interested in a vampire cure?'
The next morning Carlisle and Esme emerged from their bedroom, hand in hand, and the family seemed to collectively release a nervous breath. Esme was the glue that kept them together and Carlisle was the moral compass. Without them together the family had felt lost.
Edward beamed from his spot on the couch, for he single-handedly felt as though he had remedied the situation. Esme walked behind him and placed a soft kiss on his cheek, a token of her gratitude. "I know what you did for me Edward, thank you," she whispered in his ear. The nagging voice in his head that said Esme might be disappointed with his invasion of her private thoughts suddenly disappeared. Apparently everything had gone swimmingly and Edward wanted to gloat, but he also wanted to hear what Carlisle had to say to Emmett and Rosalie who were the ultimate cause of this problem.
Rose and Emmett seemed to shrink into the cushions of the white leather sofa. It was hard to imagine Emmett's hulking form shrinking in on itself but somehow it happened.
"Emmett, Rosalie, may I have a word with you?" Carlisle said curtly. He had just returned from leaving Esme in the kitchen. She had winced after seeing the hole in the wall between the main room and the garage again. With a swift kiss on the side of her neck Carlisle had promised it would be fixed today. He reluctantly left her side, as she prepared Evelyn's breakfast, to discuss with his children how they were going to make it up to Esme. It seemed harder than usual to be away from her. Without being able to constantly touch her Carlisle felt a physical pain, a throbbing ache, like a part of him was missing.
Carlisle nodded upstairs to his study, but Emmett shook his head. "There's no point Carlisle, Edward will just read our thoughts and relay everything to the rest of them anyway."
Edward nodded sheepishly. He couldn't deny that he would be listening to the conversation either way.
"Very well then, perhaps that is better, I had hoped to ultimately talk to everyone, so this might as well be a family meeting of sorts."
Alice took a seat on the floor in front of Jasper. She looked eager and attentive.
"Look, I know that you are sorry," Carlisle began looking at them all. "I know you feel bad. Trust me; I know how horrible you feel. But the fact is that we can't change what has unfolded here over the past day, so before you try to make amends, I'd like to explain why Esme was so upset. I can't chastise you for being ignorant for I myself had forgotten but thanks to Edward I now understand."
They all nodded. Alice rolled her eyes. Of course nosy Edward was involved, but then again, if he had helped make everything peaceful in the Cullen house again how could she criticize him for that?
"The Italian Fresca that had hung on that wall," Carlisle began by pointing to the mammoth sized hole leading to the garage, "was painted over two hundred years ago. It was done by a very old friend of mine and was something I treasured dearly. When I met Esme and discovered her passion for art and architecture I gave her the painting," Carlisle continued, as the memory washed over him vividly. Edward found it interesting to relieve it from Carlisle's perspective. "It was consequently the same night I asked Esme to marry me and the first time I told her I loved her, out loud at least, for I knew from the moment I saw her that my heart belong to her."
Alice sighed happily.
"The end table that remains in pieces over there," Carlisle began, for none of the Cullen's had moved a thing. They had been unsure of what to do with what remained of the broken pieces. "It was fashioned from the same tree that the wooden cross hung in my office was made from. I was always a man of faith and after becoming a vampire, my faith in something that was greater than myself was cemented. It represents eternity of sorts, whether it is on earth or somewhere else. After Esme said yes to my proposal I had it built for her, so she would always have a part of our eternity together."
Bella was sobbing. They were tearless sobs, but Edward pulled her close none the less.
"And the vase, well that was a gift given to Esme by me on our wedding day, and though it was the happiest day of my life, those memories are ones I'd like to keep between Esme and I," Carlisle said drifting off in thought. Edward did his best to ignore his thoughts.
When Carlisle drifted back to reality he focused on his children. "So now you know. You know what even I did not comprehend at first. And perhaps now you will be more careful, so as not to cause your mother any more heartache."
They all nodded. Emmett and Rose looked crushed.
"With that being said I do expect that this house be in ship shape condition by this afternoon. Emmett I'm sure you can manage to drywall the hole you two made. Rose I'd like my Mercedes in usable condition for my shift at the hospital tomorrow and I think all those involved owe Esme an apology."
"Carlisle, I'm sorry," Emmett said, standing and pulling his father into a hug. Carlisle gasped under Emmett's crushing strength.
"Thank you my son," he said as Emmett released him.
Rosalie curled up to Carlisle's side. "Sorry," she murmured and Carlisle touched her cheek.
"I know," he smiled.
"I'm sorry too," Alice muttered, jumping up and throwing her arms around Carlisle's waist.
"What are you sorry for Alice, you didn't do anything," Carlisle looked perplexed.
"I know but I felt left out. I'm just getting a head start for next time Emmett destroys something."
"Well this was disappointing," Edward said smirking. "I definitely thought Carlisle was going to throw you two out." He nodded at Rosalie and Emmett.
Carlisle cracked a smile. "That was my initial thought, but for some reason I had the satisfying urge to explain everything calmly."
Jasper whistled and quickly left the vicinity. Everyone laughed.
After some very sappy apologies, Esme and Carlisle dropped Evelyn off at school, and then spent the morning in Seattle together. It was supposed to thunderstorm and just be generally horrid outside, perfect for vampires to take a stroll.
At home the rest of the Cullen's pitched in around the house, fixing what they could and replacing what they couldn't. Alice was an excellent online shopper. Edward even had an idea and he gathered the splintered wooden side table and took the pieces to Emmett, instructing him to build a case that would be big enough to hold a specific leather bound journal. Alice saw that Esme and Carlisle would love it and it had been her idea to carve their initials on the front of the case.
Philip had arrived in the dark tunnels of the Volturi lair and had been waiting only a second before he was apprehended. Demetri had an intimidating hand gripping his shoulder to make sure he couldn't try any disappearing acts.
"I've been looking for you for a long time," Demetri whispered.
"Ah, well isn't that interesting, I've been avoiding you for a long time," Philip sneered.
Demetri ignored the jibe. "And I'm interested to know how you did it. No one can hide from me. No one can escape me. Before Aro kills you, I am dying to know how you remained hidden for so long. I was beginning to think that someone had killed you for me."
"Well, unfortunately you'll just have to keep wondering. And if things go well I will leave here a free vampire."
"Not likely, Aro has been waiting for you too long."
The main hall where Aro sat eagerly awaiting his prisoner was intricately designed with marble tile and pillars that were deserving of a palace but instead framed the three red throne chairs that belonged to Aro, Caius, and Marcus. Today Aro was the only one in the room which surprised Philip as Demetri forced him into a bow.
"Aro," Philip said acknowledging him politely. It wasn't going to do any good to get himself killed before he could barter for his life.
"Philip, it has been too long, my old friend," Aro smiled. When Demetri called ahead and told and explained that he had found Philip wandering in the halls, Aro had almost fallen off his chair.
"On the contrary Aro it has not been long enough," Philip smiled as well but it wasn't a warm smile.
Aro's smile disappeared altogether and was replaced by a sneer. "I am curious why you showed up on my doorstep tonight when you know very well it would mean instant death. There must be a reason for your sudden appearance, am I right?" he said toying mindlessly with the tassels on the arm of his chair.
"As usual Aro, you are correct. I have come to trade for my life. I expect the information I possess may be of use to you and am willing to trade it for my freedom."
Aro smirked. Philip was being rather candid. "And why would I exchange your life for information I can just take freely from your mind?" Aro's hands twitched eagerly.
"For the same reason you were unable to find me until I chose to appear you will only be able to see what I want you to see Aro, so it seems I may have the upper hand." Philip wasn't exactly sure if his ability would work that way. He was lying through his teeth and he prayed that Aro bought into it.
Aro was not convinced. "Perhaps something to make you more compliant then?" he suggested. "Shall I call Jane?"
Philip sighed. "Look Aro, we both know you possess the ability to kill me. I wouldn't have come here if I thought otherwise. I am not delusional. But what I know is worth the exchange. I would say trust me, but we both know that is not going to happen. My word means nothing to you and I understand that but I will not be tortured into revealing the information."
Aro was torn. He wanted Philip dead but he also was intrigued by what he was hiding.
"Maybe if I tell you who it concerns you would be more willing to discuss the matter?" Philip asked.
Aro waved his hand, trying to seem uninterested. "Perhaps."
"Living in the Olympic peninsula there is a rather large coven of vampires."
Aro immediately perked up.
"Are you familiar with the Cullen's?" Philip asked.
Aro's lips curled into a malicious grin. "Tell me what you know."
Philip allowed Aro to take his hand and delve into his memories and thoughts from the past several weeks. Aro saw the girl arrive and how she had turned one of the Cullen's human, even for a brief time. Jasper's transformation had been remarkable: the girl was a vampire antidote of sorts. She would be a prized addition to the guard. And immediately Aro knew he had to have her.
"You have seen what I have come to show you. You accepted the exchange, so am I free to leave these halls?"
"Yes," Aro said flicking his wrist. "Go in peace my friend."
Demetri opened the door for Philip to leave and closed it again.
"Demetri," Aro whispered lightly, hearing Philip's footsteps recede. "Kill him."
"My pleasure," Demetri said, disappearing into hall as swiftly as a flash of lightning.
Philip bled into the darkness, becoming a part of the scenery as Demetri passed him looking excited. Philip could tell Demetri was searching for him and he was furious, but truthfully not that surprised. It wasn't unlike Aro to go back on his word, but Aro hadn't even let him leave the horrid halls before he sent his guard to dispose of him.
Well Philip would hide here, right under the Volturi's nose, and they would never find him. He could sit like this for a long time and wait. Maybe eventually Aro would pass him alone and unsuspecting and he would work up the nerve to destroy the lying two-faced dictator of the vampire world once and for all.
Aro paced back and forth, his mind spinning in a hundred different directions—on purpose. He waited with bated breath as Jane arrived.
"Master," she said bowing her head slightly. "How may I be of service?" She really hoped she got to kill someone, or at least torture them into insanity. It had been annoying quiet on the home front lately and Jane was growing restless. She could only surprise the unsuspecting guard with a painful wave of her ability so many times before it got boring. Jane had been working up the nerve to go out into the streets of Volterra and try her luck with some human victims. It would be purely for her own sick, twisted pleasure, but she had the feeling that Aro would greatly disapprove.
"Jane, I want you and Alec to take a trip to Forks for me. Do not think about why I have asked you to go. When you arrive, call me, and I will give you further instruction," Aro whispered to the child-like vampire.
"Yes master." Jane bowed deeply, a ripple of excitement flowing through her. Aro was keeping secrets from the rest of the guard and Jane was curious but did as she was told. She found her brother in his room and the two of the left immediately, disappearing from Volterra under the cover of darkness, their burgundy capes fluttering at their heels.
"Master, we have done as you asked. What do we do next?" Jane asked in a whisper. She was shaking with curious excitement.
"Once I have spoken, you must act quickly for you know very well who resides in that sleepy little town. At Fork's Elementary there is a girl, Evelyn. She is part vampire and has taken up residence with the Cullen's. Bring her to me and hurry. Alice will soon be aware of your presence. I'm sure she is watching." Aro smiled at the thought. He always held a soft spot for the pixie-like seer and hoped one day to acquire her gift for his very own. And he knew that now that day might be closer than ever.
"What do we do if we are intercepted?" Jane inquired, becoming the strategic vampire guard once again.
"Act now Jane and you will be long gone before the Cullen's have gathered. Now go and don't draw unnecessary attention to yourselves. Oh and Jane, I want the girl alive, so be careful." The connection faded out.
Jane looked at her brother. "We have a child to collect. This should be fun."
Jane's eyes flickered ominously as she and Alec approached the elementary school. "There are so many of them, no one would notice if a few never made it back," Jane wondered out loud.
"No Jane, Aro told you to behave. Now let's just get this girl and be done with it. Which one is she?"
"The one that smells partly vampire," Jane said inhaling deeply. The potent young blood hit her in a wave of deliciousness. She licked her lips.
"Jane!" Alec warned.
"You are such a bother, brother." Jane snapped as she meticulously scanned the field of happy children. She could cripple them in an instant if she wanted. "That one," Jane said pointing towards the swing set. "The blonde."
While Evelyn was at school the Cullen's had gone hunting. They were on their way back when Alice had smashed into a tree. They had been running and it took most of them a second to realize what happened. Jasper had seen it because he rarely took his eyes of his wife, but even he had not expected what happened. She was a vampire, her reflexes were unparalleled.
The tall pine cracked at the base, toppling forward, taking several smaller trees down with it. The resounding thunderous crashes and the impact had shaken Alice, breaking her from the vision. She was on her knees gasping for breath.
"Alice," Jasper said concerned. "Are you okay? What happened? Did you see something?"
Edward was at her side now, pulling Alice to her feet. "When?" he breathed.
Alice looked up to read the sky. It was midday. "Now," she said. "We're already too late." Alice choked on the words and Jasper pulled her into a hug, looking anxiously at Edward.
"What did she see?" Carlisle asked calmly.
Edward swallowed. He couldn't believe these words were coming from his mouth. "The Volturi have come for Evelyn. They're taking her back to Volterra."
"No," Rosalie whimpered. "They can't. Why? How did they know?" Rose shook her head. It didn't make sense.
"Who did they send for her? Which guards were sent to collect her?" Carlisle pressed.
"Jane and Alec," Alice whispered. "I didn't even know they were in Forks. Aro must have told them not to think about it. I didn't even see him send them."
"Jane, I have to put her down. She's flailing around too much," Alec said, slow to a jog and then stopping completely.
"This is why we should have tied her up, dear brother," Jane said bitingly. She had been ready to bind the girl and throw her in a terrycloth sack but Alec had argued with her. He wanted to be more humane. The girl was joining them as part of the guard after all. Why should they scare her or bring her discomfort. Soon she would be one of them, wouldn't she?
"Who are you? Where are you taking me?" Evelyn asked with a shaky breath. She started to cry. She could tell her captors were vampires. That was pretty obvious because of the speed they had been running.
"Please don't do that," Alec said nervously as tears fell into the soft earth with tiny plops. The angel-faced girl was looking at him with wide, orb-like eyes.
"Alec, don't get sappy on me," Jane quipped squeezing her brother's shoulder commandingly. This child meant nothing to them. Alec had to remember that. They had just been sent to retrieve the girl; they had no bond with her.
"Please let me go. I won't tell anyone," Evelyn begged Alec. She could tell that she would get nowhere with Jane. "I can find my way back. Please. Please!"
Jane huffed angrily as Alec gently placed the girl on the soft mossy ground. She simply didn't want to look at the pathetic look on the girls face or listen to her sniveling as she cried over her family. She would see her family soon enough, and if Aro had his way they would all be dead. Jane knew Aro was trying to kill two birds with one stone, though he never outwardly admitted it. First he wanted this girl, for whatever reason she did not know, but her power must be useful or too unfathomable to waste. And secondly Aro hoped to lure the Cullen's to Volterra and dispose of them once and for all. Jane was riveted with anticipation for that coming hour. She would be there, at Aro's side, watching them all squirm under her painful gift. They would beg for death. She would make sure of it.
"Evelyn," Alec said holding her by the shoulders. "Don't be upset. You don't know how lucky you are. You are going to join the most powerful vampires in existence. They rule over all our kind. You want to be a part of that," he assured her.
"No," Evelyn whimpered shaking her head back and forth. Then she froze as if going catatonic and Jane rolled her eyes. Children could be so dramatic. It was frustratingly annoying.
"I want my family," Evelyn continued. "I-I want to go back to my mom and dad. Please," she croaked weakly.
Jane was immediately intrigued. She wanted to know which of the Cullen's had a soft spot for the girl. It might come in handy later. "Who are your parents?" she asked greedily, pulling on a lock of Evelyn's long blonde hair until she looked at her.
"Jane that isn't necessary," Alec began but Jane silenced him with a snap of her fingers. Alec crossed his arms. Jane was becoming her pushy, overbearing self.
"Who are your parents, girl?" Jane repeated, her crimson eyes boring into Evelyn's green ones. It couldn't possibly be Edward and Bella; they already had a grimy, snot-nosed hybrid child of their very own. Perhaps the doctor and his wife had taken a liking to her. They already claimed to have adopted the rest of the annoying Cullen clan, why not add to their coven? Aro secretly thought that Carlisle was attempting to overthrow him. Regardless of whether he meant it, Carlisle had been collecting powerful vampires of his very own. Jane continued to weed through the other members of the family. The tiny seer was too hyperactive to pause long enough to have even noticed the girl and the blonde Rosalie was too conceited. Who could it be?
"Tell me!" Jane screeched and Evelyn trembled with fear. Jane laughed. She would not even have to use her power to make this girl cringe.
"Rosalie and Emmett," Evelyn whispered, feeling as if uttering their names was somehow betraying her family. She was frightened senseless: these blood-red eyed vampires were nothing like her family. They were hostile and dangerous. She didn't feel safe near them like she did her family and she felt dirty just speaking her family's names in the presence of such filthy monstrosities. These were human killers. These were the kind of vampires her family tried not to be. They had no regard for human life. They merely thought of them as disposable. Evelyn felt a tiny flame ignite in her chest.
But it was snuffed out just as quickly when she realized that she was still partly human. The warm blood that tainted her veins made her a target. And if these vampires were thirsty she had no doubt they wouldn't hesitate to kill her. The thought made her shiver. A light-headed feeling snuck silently up the back of her neck and into the forefront of her mind. These vampires were going to kill her. There was no escape.
Jane scoffed at Evelyn's words. Rosalie and Emmett? The vain Barbie doll and the bumbling gorilla had found it in their cold, stagnant hearts to love this child? Jane was dumbfounded.
Alec shrugged, pushing Jane aside. She was making the child cower. "Jane knock it off, this is going to be hard enough without you scaring her senseless."
Jane rolled her eyes, "You were always the softy, brother."
"I'm not soft, I'm just above terrorizing innocents, something I know you take much joy in," Alec chided.
Jane shrugged. She couldn't deny what he said.
"I just don't know why Aro must keep toying with this family. They haven't done anything wrong as far as I can tell."
"Brother, I am beginning to feel as if your loyalties no longer lie with us," she said with a hard tone to her voice. She waited for Alec to respond.
"My loyalties are where they always have been. I am just wondering why we must keep dragging up old discrepancies. I tire of this constant badgering. If Aro wants to chase after the Cullen's than he should do it himself, I am not his servant boy," Alec hissed. Jane eyed him in a new light. Something was shifting in her brother. She could sense it.
Alec picked Evelyn up again. "Don't worry; soon you'll have a new family. You'll forget about the Cullen's."
Evelyn stared blankly at the pale-faced vampire. He was almost child-like, his young face contrasting the wisdom in his eyes.
"I don't want a new family," Evelyn whimpered.
"Too bad, kid," Jane sneered. "Aro wants you. Now be a good girl and behave or else I'll have to hurt you. I don't want to hear another peep out of you until this journey's through, got it?" she warned, holding a spikey finger under Evelyn's chin.
"Where are we going?" Evelyn's voice shook.
"Volterra," Jane said absently. "Alec let's go. Aro is expecting us and I don't want the Cullen's to intercept us before we get there."
Evelyn's heart skipped. Was her family coming for her? Would they be able to get to her in time? She didn't know. Maybe they wouldn't even know where to find her. She was alone; completely and utterly alone.
"We can't all go," Edward was the first to speak. The Cullen's had reconvened at the house after Emmett and Jasper followed Jane and Alec's scent through the woods for several miles. "It's obviously a trap."
"She's with them," Emmett said, confirming they had taken Evelyn as if he didn't believe Alice's vision. It wasn't that he didn't believe her it was that he didn't want to. "I kill them. I'll kill every member of the guard. I'll rip their motherfu-"
"Emmett Cullen, watch your tongue," Esme snapped. It was an automatic reaction to hearing one of her children about to curse but her tone had been harsher than she meant it to be. "Oh, Emmett I'm sorry. I'm just so worried," Esme mumbled, pulling Emmett in for a hug. It looked almost comical the way tiny Esme yanked giant Emmett. Oh, the joys of vampire strength.
"No, Edward, we are strongest when we are together," Bella said. There was no way she was going to let any of her family near the Volturi without her there to help protect them.
"It's too dangerous," Edward said again. "If something happens, if they attack us we won't be prepared. We won't be able to defend ourselves this time. We don't have a field full of witnesses backing us up."
"Edward is right," Carlisle finally spoke. He couldn't bear be away from Esme, but he also couldn't knowingly drag her into danger. "I will go alone," Carlisle said. "Aro will see it as a peace offering. We have a history and he won't hurt me if there is nothing there to threaten me with. I will retrieve Evelyn and bring her home."
"No!" Esme and Edward said at once.
"Carlisle, I will go with you," Edward said determinedly.
"And hell if I'm staying here," Emmett growled.
"She's my daughter," Rosalie said as if that trumped everyone else's right to go.
"Carlisle, I will not stay here while half my family is at the hands of the Volturi," Esme whispered.
"My gifts could help prevent a fight," Jasper noted.
"Well, I'm not staying here either," Alice said shrugging. "I'm the psychic. You'll need me."
"So the shield gets left behind? I don't think so," Bella said sarcastically.
Carlisle sighed. "That settles it then. We all go."
"We all agree that this is a trap though, right?" Edward said, looking for reassurance. He wanted everybody to know what they were getting themselves into.
"Most definitely," Carlisle said. Edward was waiting for one confirmation in particular: the one that really mattered.
Alice sighed. "Aro knew we would come after her. He expects us to follow."
"Can you see anything that will help us?" Carlisle asked on the off chance Alice had a vision.
"Not yet, things are just beginning to clear, but I should know shortly."
"Well we don't have time to waste," Rosalie said grabbing her car keys. "We need to leave now."