An Unresolved Past
This story starts off five years after its prelude: 'Life is never what you expect it to be'. Bella is now Caius's mate and they are both very happily bonded. WARNING: This is an adult version of twilight and will have sexual submission and violence (after all; the story revolves around vampires). This is not for the faint of heart; it is very dark and has sexual content. 18+
Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer is the creator of these intriguing characters but has nothing to do with this story.
Chapter 44 – The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person's determination *
After bringing the Cullen boy to the cellars as instructed, Jane, Alec and Felix set off for Norway. They had gotten the exact coordinates from Aro and would land in an area close to the town where they expected the traitors to be.
All had their doubts; especially where Marcus and Demetri were concerned but none dared to voice them. After all it might be possible that both had indeed been deceived as they did not have the advantage of Aro's gift of reading minds
The flight took hours and while one flew the others took some down time. This promised to be a very delicate operation; one that they had never encountered up to now so they had to be prepared.
Once they landed they called the agents that Aro had sent down there a few weeks ago. They had been following the signal that had been so carefully planted and it's carrier Alice Cullen.
They had waited for Alice to go back to the group so they would have Olympia coven together when they stormed in to take them.
Alec took out the GPS and was soon able to pinpoint the place; then putting a small satellite connected earpiece in his ear he pointed the direction they had to take and they ran. With the earpiece the vampires could keep him informed over any possible deviations in her movements.
After 30 minutes they stopped and saw a small house in the distance.
Circling the house and looking inside, they saw that some of the members were packing giving them no choice but to go in. Alex allowed his gift to creep under the door and through every other crevice it could find, looking for weak spots in the building. Then about five minutes later Felix broke down the door and upon entering they found all the Cullens except for Carlisle. They also found Marcus, Demetri, Athenodora and the tracker Riley. All prepared to leave the building.
Alec then released Marcus from his mist while Jane went upstairs with Felix.
Once Marcus was released he shouted "I demand to know what is going on"
"I am here to arrest the traitors; according to Aro you have been deceived by them and I have been sent to come and bring all of you back to Volterra"
At that moment there was a thunderous noise from somewhere upstairs and Alec's eyes flew to the ceiling as if he could look through it and see the source. "Who's up there?" he immediately asked Marcus while keeping the others under his spell.
Marcus was about to answer when Felix, Jane and Carlisle Cullen descend the stairs, their steps reverberating as they came. There was something strange about the expression on his sister's face but instead of asking he redirected his attention towards Marcus saying "Now that everyone is present I think we should go back to the plane, Master Aro is waiting"
"Let him wait" a voice thundered from the staircase and in a flash Alec looked up thinking his mind was playing tricks on him until he recognized his former king.
"Master Caius?" He asked his mind unsure of what he was witnessing.
"Yes" Caius said.
"But we thought you had fallen of that cliff of ice in Alaska" Alec said.
Marcus, relieved by the unexpected presence of Caius smiled as he answered "He did and just as Isabella had predicted, when he reappeared he had changed; he had lost his memory. About a half a year ago he returned from the icy depths and Demetri, sensing his presence informed me. A couple of weeks later Demetri and I came here and finding he had lost his memory we stayed in an attempt to help him regain it".
Stunned by this unexpected change of circumstances Alec mumbled "We had no idea!"
"No, and I doubt Aro has any idea he is alive" Marcus snickered; for seeing Caius standing there was nothing short of a miracle. Scrutinizing the newcomers he inquired "Where is Edward Cullen and his mate?"
"Aro has detained them both. It seems that Edward Cullen was part of a small mutiny instigated by your former mate" Alec swiftly answered.
Carlisle had stayed silent but fearing the fate of Edward and his mate quickly asked "Are they still alive?"
"Yes, but after Aro scanned Edwards mind, he was punished and locked up in the dungeon; the woman was sent to the tower. Both actions were done in accordance to Aro's orders".
"Aro has much to answer for" Caius angrily said.
Alec, Felix and Jane were all perplexed by this remark and looked towards Caius for more information instead they heard Marcus speak.
"There are things that cannot be mended or atoned for; only death will suffice" Marcus said.
Alec, hearing this began to feel anxious saying "Please masters Marcus and Caius you cannot expect us to rebel against a king".
"Oh no" Marcus said and then after a seconds hesitation he asked "What were you three just planning to do?"
"But we were under Master Aro's orders to bring you back not to kill you or anyone else"
Jane explained.
Marcus turned and glaring at Jane he barked "Master Aro is one king we are two; yet you would rather follow him?"
"We had no idea that Master Caius was still alive; we were told that you had been deceived by the Edward Cullen and Caius's former mate" Alec said in their defence.
Alec's primarily loyalty had always been towards his mentor Aro; yet looking at the two kings he realized that he couldn't disobey. Instead he said "I cannot speak for the others but I myself am very close to master Aro and do not wish him harm. I cannot fight him or either of you as I feel ill equipped to harm either side. I was quick to release you from my gift for the same reason". Then looking towards Marcus he continued "From what I understand you are determined to destroy Master Aro and I beg you not to ask me to fight against him; he is as a father to me".
Caius was furious and was about to strike him down but Marcus stopped him saying "As we were under Aro and Chelsea's influence so are they; we cannot expect otherwise".
Then turning to Alec, Marcus said "Release our friends from your gift for they have done no one harm"
Alec bowed relieved that Marcus seemingly understood his situation and immediately retracted the mist freeing the others from its paralyzing grasp.
It took a moment or two for them to return from their haze but seeing Caius alive in front of them they made them more than uncertain of their sanity. Athenodora moved to touch what she thought was a vision but when Caius smiled she dashed into his arms saying "You are back with us!"
"Yes" Caius promptly answered, his smugness on display as he added "My memory once more intact, thanks to Carlisle."
The others were relieved with the change of circumstances and Marcus merely smiled saying "Yes it seems Isabella was right Caius is truly indestructible"
Alec, Felix and Jane were bewildered by the turn of events; their loyalties challenged. In all the commotion Jane left the room with all intention of informing Aro of the situation. However the moment she opened her cell phone Alice walked in and attempted to seize it. Jane's first reaction was to send searing pain to her opponent which quickly brought the others around them.
"Halt and desist" Marcus bellowed.
Jane realized her mistake and released Alice from her gift but it was too late. Her call to Aro had failed and with the phone laying on the ground, her intent was obvious to all.
Caius, seeing the display in front of him smashed the phone with his shoe and struck Jane with full force. She was propelled backwards from the force of his blow and was about to turn her gift against him when she heard Marcus say "Do you wish to be accused of treason as well?"
Upon hearing this Alec swiftly stepped forward "Please excuse my sister; she was not thinking!" then grasping Jane's hand he pulled her toward him. "Dear sister. I understand your sorrow but you cannot defy two kings; it serves no purpose except maybe your own downfall."
Then looking at the two kings he said "I believe Aro's guilty must be proved". Seeing both nod he continued "He will be tried before the Volturi court and any subsequent sentence, will be decided by the gods".
From that point on the cell phones of the other two were confiscated by Marcus; who subsequently gathered his group together to continue planning. Once alone Jane and Felix described to Alec what had transpired upstairs and while doing so Alice Cullen prudently walked towards them and inquired "How did you find us?"
After a moment of hesitation Alec nodded towards her his eyes focused on her ears as he said "your earrings".
"What do you mean?" Alice asked as she touched her ears with her fingers.
"Aro had one of them bugged and when you put them on it gave off a signal. That was how we were able to find you" he explained.
"Oh god" she said and in a daze stepped back from him as she mumbled "it was my fault that Edward got caught". Then she shamefully left the group slowly sinking onto a stairway step.
Seeing her distress Alec added "If it's any conciliation the earrings only told us your general location. You seemed to have lost them about a week ago so Aro's men planted a bug in the case containing the blood. Then we were able to find your coven."
It didn't seem to lighten her guilt; she still felt devistated.
Jasper hearing the explanation and came up to her trying to calm her with his gift as he stated "Don't blame yourself; none of us realized how calculating Aro can be. Now come join us we need to determine what our next move should be."
They spent a couple of hours deliberating their options and eventually walked over to Alec saying "we will go back with you and give ourselves up to Aro".
Alec looked at the group and hesitantly said "I will go with you; but please do not ask me to participate in Aro's destruction. I cannot allow myself to be forced into a dispute that is against the very vows I have made to all three of you".
All the men then looked at Jane who nodded her head saying "I have a similar confliction of loyalties but will also join you".
Alec looked at Jane and a cloud of hesitation passed his face as he asked "You sure sister? Your bonds with Aro are even deeper than mine".
She turned to Alec and explained "I will not participate with Aro's destruction but believe this conflict and a conflict between kings. It should be fought or hopefully reconciled between said kings".
Then all eyes looked at Felix who said "I seek the truth and if you can present it I will help you in your quest".
Marcus nodded his head "We must leave now and will explain things to you all on our way down there if you find the truth in our words we would like you to join us".
Both Alec and Jane were relieved by their words but they were no fools; they knew there would be problems for the both of them upon their return to the Volturi.
* Tommy Lasorda