Well, this is it, the final two chapters. For all of you who have stuck with me, thank you. I sincerely enjoyed writing this. Thank you for all your reviews, kind words, and constructive criticism. You made this fun.
Enjoy!!!
(and I hope I have improved somewhat on my use of then and than. ;o))
Chapter 21
They were gathered, as if no one had retreated to their rooms all night, in the living room. The family sat or stood on one side of the room while Jane and Felix sat on the other. It seemed they had only been waiting for us to return.
None of them looked at all surprised to see us together, but that could have been because of the previous day or Edward had seen everything and explained it all. And no one appeared happy either. I felt Demetri's hand on my lower back move soothingly against my skin. He had felt me tense in response to the hard impassive faces of my family. I took a deep breath and crossed the room to stand in front of the hearth, Demetri by my side.
I ignored Jane and Felix as completely as I could, focusing my attention on my family, "Demetri was the one who changed me. I let him, though, truth be told we had little other choice." I paused, glancing at Bella and Edward, willing them to understand what they already knew. "I would have chosen it anyway. He is mine and I am his forever."
"That is a difficult choice." Carlisle said softly.
I slowly nodded in agreement, "Yes, but I can be without him like you can be without Esme. You've seen what I am like. It is a mere shadow of who I was before I left Italy."
"What will you do now, Demetri?"
It was the first time I had ever heard Felix speak that sarcasm was not present. I appraised him coolly. His jaw was hard and his eyes sober. I could see he was deeply shocked and I realized then, that for everything, Felix considered Demetri a friend of sorts. They had known each other for centuries. I looked up at Demetri and wondered if the sentiment was shared. By the stony expression in Demetri's eye, I didn't think so.
Demetri tossed him the gray cloak, "Tell the brothers I have resigned."
I was surprised that he called them anything but master. I wasn't the only one. Felix was on his feet in flash, this time in anger.
"You can't! They'll never let you." He hissed.
At Felix's aggressive actions, I saw my family sit a little straighter, all of them alert and ready to act should there be trouble. Emmett was watching, his eyes glowing in excited anticipation.
But Demetri's answer was calm and firm. It belied the tense posture of his body, "I can and I do. I have served all my life; they made a grave mistake in harming my Sarah. It is one I will not forgive."
"You can't just quit, Demetri," Felix scorned. He looked frightening and I fought the desire to step back.
Demetri's hands steadied me, "Marcus will understand and he will break the news to Aro and Caius. You will not be blamed."
Felix glared at him for a moment then turned his hate-filled glance on me. "You would leave all you have ever known for this," -- He sneered at me while he thought of a word bad enough -- "traitorous little b-- "
"Enough!"
Emmet and Jasper had surged to their feet, growling in warning, but it was Demetri's soft voice that had cut Felix off. I had never heard it so deadly and I had never seen him so enraged. And for all that Demetri had endured at the hands of his friend; it would seem the Felix had not either. Demetri pulled me behind the protection of his strong body as he stared Felix down but I would have none of that and stepped between them. I placed my hands on Demetri's chest.
"No, don't," I begged, searching his eyes.
Demetri calmed a little against my hands, his jaw relaxed and his eyes softened. I didn't want this sort of violence in this house. There was too much hostility, it had to be calmed or there would be a fight.
"Jane," Felix said, looking over his shoulder at the child-like vampire sitting so still as if he needed her help.
Knowing what Felix wanted, she started to smile at Demetri as she got to her feet. I felt him brace himself for the onslaught.
So much for calm.
I snarled in defense of my mate as I faced the little goblin and the harsh voice that came from me was unrecognizable, "You touch him and I swear no power on earth will stop me from ripping your heart out. The little bits you become will never be found and you will cease."
I had never felt such hate, not even when Aro had presented Jess to me and for a moment everything was washed in red and I smelled her death. I was on the edge of letting the animal in me go free all it would take was one hasty move on her part.
Jane's eyes widened and she shrank back whether at the fury on my face or the fact that my brothers were starting to circle up, I was unsure. However, I was quite certain that I could dispose of her without their help. The weight of my mate's hand on my waist brought me back, cooled my sight, and was the only thing that kept me from carrying out my threat prematurely.
Sensing I had more control, Carlisle and my brothers stopped moving and stood at the ready in various places about the room; a steady, insurmountable wall of support for me and mine. Their faces showed no sign of shock at my behavior, but acceptance. Even my sisters stood poised and ready. Alice's face was fierce. Bella had a ghost of a grin and her eyes had blackened. Even Rosalie watched eagerly.
It was completely silent for a long second as we all faced each other and waited.
"I think that it is time we left," Jane finally said in a tight voice directed to Felix. To Demetri she said, "We will tell our masters of your wishes and hope they honor them."
He stared at her, "I will be here."
Felix growled at his words and earned a snarl from me. This time he didn't smile at my efforts. The sound raised the hairs on the back of even my neck.
"We'll give your regards to Aro," Jane said blandly to Carlisle as she swept out the door, Felix followed after with one final glance in my direction.
When the door had been shut behind them, I sagged against Demetri, relishing the feel of his strength around me, the sound of his breath in my ears and the scent that enveloped me. But it wasn't over yet.
"I am sorry that was brought into your home," He said softly to Carlisle and Esme.
My family was staring at him in distrust. The tension that had been felt earlier had diminished somewhat when Felix and Jane had left, but it could still be felt. Demetri had been and would be considered an enemy until proven otherwise. The fact that he was my mate -- my choice, didn't matter. I felt the hesitancy and stood in front of him arms folded defiantly over my chest.
Carlisle nodded knowingly as he watched me, "I have a feeling it would have come with or without you."
"What now?" Edward asked. Bella stood beside him, her golden eyes anxious.
I let my arms fall; this was going to be hard, "If you can't accept Demetri, then we'll leave." My voice was mostly emotionless. "But, I really don't want to leave." That wasn't so emotionless. I hoped they could at least try, but I was prepared to leave if they couldn't. I had been too long without Demetri and I would never let it happen again.
Carlisle watched us for a moment deep in thought. Despite all the trouble I had brought with me, he had begun to trust me. But my choice, he wasn't so sure about. He recognized my resolve, though, and was, above all else, a truly good man.
"We will try it," He concluded after a moment.
Demetri dipped his head in acceptance, "I know the rules you follow and I will do my best."
"That's all we can ask." Carlisle said as he stepped forward to shake Demetri's hand.
I released a sobbing breath and threw my arms around Carlisle, squeezing his neck. He chuckled as he set me down and let the rest of the family hesitantly move to greet Demetri. It would take awhile for them to get used to him and him to get used to them. But I was convinced there would come a day when they would be his family as much as mine.
Not long after, I led him to my … our … room and I haltingly told him the truth of what had happened the day he had left me. I showed him the drawings that were like a history of my new life. I told him of my last visit home, about my cross-country search for the Cullens, how I had grown to love them and why. I told him of Tom and the revenge he had planned, of his death. Then, when the story was finished, we lay for a long time tangled together.
Whole.
