Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight, but not Merged Souls: Trying for Normal

Author's Note:

Chapter 8

WalesPOV

We landed in Florence and taxied to a private hangar a remnant of the Volturi. We were met by several black SUV's and of all things a gum chewing, well pieced vampire in full Goth garb and make-up. How very droll and cliché, she gave everyone the once over ogling Jasper and Emmett. But I thought her eyes would fall out and roll across the tarmac when Edward came out preceding his wife and children always the damn lord and protector. Regan came up to my side. "Oh Edward get over it you can't fault him his looks. He is no more or less a man than you my love. And he is the future of our race if we're to survive and find a natural place in this world we need Edward Cullen and the whole clan to help us find our way."

'It's not that Reagan it's just his manner. Why all the pretence? Why does he pretend he doesn't know how he affects people? Why does he act all humble and pretend he just wants to live his life, that he's not interested in power? He just acts so human and it just frustrates the hell out of me."

Reagan put her arms around me and kissed me sweetly on the cheek. "Oh My prince, none of that is an act. Edward Cullen is exactly what you see before you. He is a boy, a man, a husband, a lover and a father who just happens to be a mind reading vampire. And believe me my love those last two are inconveniences that he has had to learn to live with and that he does not treasure."

"I just cannot understand why I let Edward Cullen get to me."

"He's not the typical male vampire that you've spent centuries dealing with! In short he is out of your experience. With Edward Cullen you'll have to deal with him man to man. Not even his brothers or father are as close to their humanity as he is and yet it took falling in love with a human girl to bring it out of him. Have you ever thought that maybe you have more in common that you realize and maybe that's why you don't like him. You look for too many hidden meanings my love. I suggest that you look to him for friendship and then everything else will follow. And you may want to examine your similarities. I know Bella and I have. She tells me that Edward was and still is sometimes an exceptionally talented brooder, a bit of a control freak, and a self loather. But all the while he has a razor sharp wit, is very intelligent and kind. He is fiercely loyal to friends and family, and a damn scary and vicious vamp when riled. Apparently he's one hell of a lover but that's according to Bella. Her short list of attributes kind of reminds me of you my love, maybe that's why he gets under your skin, perhaps he's a kindred spirit."

I looked at Reagan and then again at Edward as he had descended from the aircraft and was surrounded by his family as the gum chewing vampire approached. "God he is a looker isn't he."

"Yes young lady and very happily married. Come let me introduce you to the Cullen family."

EPOV

Wales approached us with Reagan and a young girl who looked like she would be an airport security nightmare with all the metal attached to her body. Wales was smiling. "Edward this is...I'm sorry my dear I didn't get you name."

"Oh Penny, Penny Laine, and if anyone starts singing that damn song I will personally rip them a new one. My parents were big Beatles fans end of story."

Wales was trying not to laugh. Instead he was looking at Emmet who I think was about to burst into song. "Oh come on just this once, it's begging to be done, please Penny, Penny Laine."

Rose and Bella looked mortified the rest just looked like they were waiting to see what would happen. I walked over to Wales. "Well this is going well. Maybe we should leave them to it, would you like to drive or ride?

Wales pointed at Emmett, "But I'd thought you'd want to..."

I almost thought Wales was going to start to stutter. "What? That I'd want to watch my brother humiliate himself once again? Nope I've seen it a thousand times before it's not a pretty site. Then again it's still new to you, hell you might even get a chuckle out of it." Just then Emmett burst into song and flew over my head. I looked at Wales who had been facing it all. "Kick or throw?"

Wales was laughing now looking from Emmett to the girl. "Throw, damn she's fast for such a tiny thing."

"Bella's smaller than Penny and she can take him down faster than anyone else in the family. She claims its leverage; he says she's just sneaky."

Wales looked over to Reagan who was talking to Bella "I think our wives are becoming friends, either that or their plotting against us."

I looked in the same direction as Wales. Bella looked over at me and smiled. She had made me agree to try and make friends with Wales before this trip was over. "Probably it's a bit of both. Look Wales I'm going to be up front with you, Bella made me promise I'd try to become your friend. And I don't like to disappoint my wife if I can help it. So can we at least try to get along? And if you prefer we can always agree to detest each other in private."

"I'd like to be your friend Edward. My wife seems to think that we need to just talk man to man and leave the vampire at the door."

"Our wives are wise women. Come on let's grab the BMW SUV before Emmett, he'll get stuck with the FIAT and that'll really piss him off." I was going to have to look at Wales from a different perspective to see what made him tick. He hadn't been changed until Richard was eighteen so that made Wales about twenty. Up until that time he had lived in a vampire coven as a human for almost eight years. It couldn't have been easy for him and his brother being ripped out of their world. Maybe they had only exchanged the nightmare of The Tower for another? He at least deserved my compassion and I'm willing to wait and see if we can become friends. But for the life of me I have no idea why Bella thinks were so much alike. Wales took off and we raced to the BMW. I was still the fastest vamp but I offered him the keys anyway.

"No thanks you can drive."

Hmm, Wales really wanted to drive he even thinks he's the better driver. Yet he lets me drive? Well I did win the race and I'm actually the better driver because with my natural speed comes better reflexes. Yeah it's the right thing not to insist that he takes the wheel. Nope I don't see why Bella thinks were alike at all.

The kids, Bella and Regan climbed in the back after Wales called shot gun. I would have preferred to have my Bella by my side but I'd live. At least I could see her beautiful face in the rear view mirror. Once we had passed through customs we peeled out of the airport and onto the highway that led to Volterra. Bella was yelling at me to slow down and Wales was smirking about me letting my wife dictate my speed.

To my surprise Reagan leaned over and like Rose smacked Wales on the back of the head. "What was that for?"

"Well it seems to work for Rose so I thought I'd try it. Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. Bella is absolutely right to yell at Edward about his speed! We have precious cargo in here that can bleed Wales. The children may not be as indestructible as their parents in a traffic accident and I don't think we should use this trip to find out."

It looked like Wales and I had both been told. There's one thing we had in common wives that were not afraid to speak their minds. Still we made it to Volterra in under an hour and yes we beat Emmett by 3 minutes. It was a bright sunny day so we made for the castle's underground parking.

Aldrich and Alastair were waiting for us. Alastair looked like the nutty professor, his hair was every which way, glasses that he didn't need were resting on top of his head and he was carrying a three inch stack of papers that were all askew. He was even wearing a sweater vest, chinos and loafers. Aldrich in contrast was standing there his hands in the pockets of his blue jeans with a tucked in white button down and sneakers. Both were frowning.

Wales and I climbed out of the car at virtually the same time laughing and high fiving each other having beat Emmett. Our welcoming committee groaned. I looked at Wales, "That must be for you." He raised his eyebrow, "Nah they were both looking at you."We both chuckled... perhaps we could be friends. Bella, Reagan, and the kids piled out of the back seat all arms, legs and noise, the kids immediately ran to Aldrich and he squat down smiling widely and pulled candy out of his pockets. And which Bella took immediate possession of as the kids groaned, Aldrich shrugged his shoulders and Alastair was staring at the kids like a lab experiment had just escaped. I couldn't help it I just burst out laughing. Alastair huffed and said: "I expected better of Carlisle's son. And as for you your highness well I've never had any expectations for English royals. And it would seem just as well since I was bound to be disappointed." With that he turned on his heel and made for the elevator at the end of the garage. I looked at Aldrich and went to open my mouth but Aldrich went ahead and answered.

"Oh you two are lucky he's in a good mood today. But if either one of you feels like ripping him to pieces during this visit please let me watch, you have no idea how therapeutic that would be.

He motioned us forward. Wales and I fell back with our wives and being the ever chivalrous mates we ushered them into the elevator ahead of us putting as much space as possible between Alastair and us.

We came out of the elevator on one of the floors that housed the living quarters. The first three doors had keypad locks. When Alastair didn't hear us following him he turned. "Those are the brother's rooms, we haven't gone through them yet so I had the locks installed. Marcus indicated that there are booby traps in each of those rooms. Penny has been dying ..."and he chuckled "...to get in there." He paused I think waiting for laughter but no one obliged. He huffed and moved on.

Penny raced ahead and whispered something to Alastair. He got a look on his face that would have soured milk then he looked at Aldrich and said: "I have to go." and he left, Penny high fived Aldrich. "Who did you sic him on Penny?"

She bashfully grinned at Aldrich... more was going on there then met the eye. "The IT geeks, they always have something to complain about so he'll be gone for hours. Penny turned to us and smiled warmly. "Alastair really isn't a people person so we try to keep him away from the people we like as much as possible. Just follow me it's this way to your rooms. Hey kids, there's an enclosed salt water pool on the roof and it has a retractable dome for those cloudy days."

Masen who we think is part dolphin immediately asked if they could go swimming. I saw no reason why they couldn't and Bella agreed. Penny offered to be their lifeguard slash bodyguard. We reach our rooms the kids changed and took off. Gideon and Ester quickly closed and locked their door. They wanted to reconnect with each other and who could blame them. Wales and Reagan left to reacquaint themselves with old haunts within the castle after being cautioned by Aldrich.

Everyone dropped off their luggage in their rooms. Then my brothers and sisters joined us in our suite along with a very nervous Aldrich. "Okay obviously something is going on that you don't even want to report to your liege lord."

Aldrich stopped pacing and looked at me his fist pounding on his thigh. "It's about Gideon and Ester's son." His thoughts were so muddled that he couldn't decide what to tell us first. Then he started to sniff the air. "What is that scent and where did come from?"

Bella smiled and moved over closer to me on the couch where we were seated. "Oh we forgot to mention my parents came with us." He was thinking of Carlisle and Esme. "No Aldrich not Carlisle and Esme, my human parents." Now he really looked perplexed. "Ah yeah, I mean their ghosts. They want to help with the booby traps since their not corporeal no risk. They can travel through walls and doors they'll just need a little education as to what they'll be looking for."

Aldrich shook his head and looked at the empty space beside Bella. "Well hello Mr. and Mrs. Masen and thank you for your help, we can use it. We're pretty indestructible ourselves. But the items that the traps are protecting aren't, so your help will be truly invaluable."

"So what is the problem Aldrich?"

"I'm not sure if it's a problem actually. But Alger well he's here and has always been here in Volterra the problem is he's not alone. It's been a long time for him and he only ever got to see them twice a year and those were pretty emotional times and he ...well he didn't tell them everything going on his life...after all he's a man now... and he never knew them well enough to figure out how he should broach the subject."

For heaven sakes man spit it out. "Well he's involved with a girl that works here in the castle and now she's missing."

"What?"

"Yeah, he has a wife and she's human. He's scared. He told me that they've been struggling with the idea of him being immortal. And what would happen if she becomes pregnant? Well he needed more advice than I could give him. And then she up and disappears!"

"I think maybe we need to save the rest for when Gideon and Ester are ready."

"And who is Ester?"

Rose huffed. "That squeaky little Scot didn't tell you? That's why he had me talking to him in Celtic the little worm. Ester is or was Roma."

Aldrich smiled widely at her " Oh, really! Well that's Alastair for you always leaving out little important details! But its Alastair that knows everything about Alger he'll be able to give you more details. You may want to warn his parents that Alger is here and that he's anxious to see them. But I wouldn't mention wife and that she's missing I think he wants to tell them. Um in the mean time Edward, I'm going to need your help with a few of the usual suspects regarding her disappearance."

"Fine let me know when and where? Oh and Aldrich you do know that my gift isn't at all like Aro's don't you?

"Ah yeah about that...um, these people are use to intimidation and force when asked questions. They don't really respond well to the nicey, nice approach. It's kind of like threatening to punish a kid and they know that you won't and then they still lie because it's easier anyway. So I chose the lesser evil and told them that you could read all their memories just like Aro but that...um you could rip them out of their minds...and that...um it's kind of painful."

I couldn't believe my ears. "What? Where the hell...I don't even know where to begin! Are you crazy?"

BPOV

Oh boy from the frying pan into the fire. Edward was incensed he was pacing back and forth, pinching the bridge of his nose with one hand and pulling his hair with the other. If I were Aldrich I'd run because my husband was about to explode. Everyone was standing back and then it happened. Alice screamed "NO EDWARD!" Then Edward grabbed Aldrich around the neck, hoisted him two feet off the floor and slammed him against the wall. His face was just inches away from Aldrich's throat. Alice was a puddle on the floor shaking her head and Jasper was down with her, Emmett was looking at me and Rose was horrified.

I approached Edward and laid my hand on his back I mentally tapped him but he shook me off. "Edward let him down. This isn't who you are. So what if he lied, it's not what you're actually going to do it. If this helps us find Alger's wife without hurting anyone then isn't it worth it."

Through tightly pursed lips he hissed "It's still a lie! And can you honestly tell me that lies don't hurt?

Now I understood. He had lied to me before he had left me, and he didn't want to be that kind of person ever again. "Edward, let him down love. Aldrich was wrong but maybe he had the right idea. He's put them in the frame of mind where they'll be thinking of the things they would normally try to keep from you." I was shaking his arm now and his grip had not slackened. "Edward listen to me the kids could be back any minute now. Let him down and let's talk about this."

Edward turned to look at me over his shoulder his eyes were as black as coal his jaw locked. His neck muscles were so tense that every tendon stood out and he looked right through me, this was the vampire and he scared me. Then he looked around the room and took in his siblings, Alice was on the floor sobbing. Jasper was curled into a ball at her side. Emmett didn't know what to do and Rose was terrified. I think this is the first time they had ever seen Edward's true dark side.

"Edward?" He looked down at me again then I placed my hand on the arm holding Aldrich, who was still in shock and wisely not moving. "Edward darling, let go of him, we need to discuss how to deal with this. Aldrich did what he thought he had to do too find Alger's lover. Would you want him to do any less if it was me missing?"

Edward's hand loosened and Aldrich slid to the floor. Then Edward slumped down beside him and I knelt in front of my husband. Gradually his eyes lightened and he reached for my hand and quietly whispered. "I'm sorry my love."

I took his hand in mine and entwined our fingers, "I'm not the one you need to apologize to."

Edward took a deep breath and turned his head to the side to look at Aldrich "Sorry... are you okay?"

Aldrich got up and stretched out his hand to Edward to pull him to his feet along with me. "Yeah I'm fine. But you are one hell of a scary bastard Cullen. I doubt I'll ever try a stunt like that again. I had no idea you were so committed to the Cullen myth, well I guess it's not a myth is it."

We all looked confused. He looked around the room and was incredulous "You must know you're called the family of Stregoni Benefici."

Edward bowed his head onto his knees and groaned, Emmett voiced my question. "I thought that was just a label given to Carlisle?"

Aldrich smiled at Emmett. "At one time it was and a well earned label at that. But as your family grew and please note I say family and not coven you endeavoured to share your wealth with those in need. You used your abilities to offer aid were you could, without interfering in the course of natural events. Your generosity has always been extended to human and vampire alike. That label has been earned by all of you one after another."

Just then the door banged open and the kids came flying through the door. Beth jumped into Edward's arms and he buried his face in her hair, then he reached out to me and pulled me in under his other arm. Beth had her hand pressed against her father's cheek she was showing him their antics in the pool. Penny came in with a fuchsia bikini top and teal coloured sarong as a skirt with bare feet and fewer studs, pins and bars in evidence. She was laughing when she asked."Is it possible for a vampire to be exhausted? I have never in all my years seen children with such an abundance of energy."

Aldrich chuckled. "Abundance of energy, you've been hanging around Alastair too much."

Penny made a face as she walked slowly over to Aldrich looking around the room at us."Why do I get the feeling I just missed something monumental?"She stood very close to Aldrich and looked up at him with something more than just curiosity, hmmm. Aldrich inched a little closer to her without making contact and smiled. Yep they have it bad.

Regardless of what I'd had just seen between her and Aldrich. Penny now stood there unabashedly undressing my husband with her eyes. I took Beth out of Edward's arms and put her down so she wandered over to her Aunt Alice who was now sitting on a sofa smirking at me and looking at Edward and then Penny. So I grabbed Edward around his neck and pulled him down for a tonsil hockey kiss. To say I surprised him, was an understatement but he soon forgot where he was and who was there with us as he deepened the kiss even further. It wasn't until Emmett and Anthony started making gagging noises that either of us came up for air.

Penny laughed out loud. "Consider the message received and understood Mrs. Cullen. But may I just say that he is one fine specimen! Oh and sorry for the LOOK but my parents were hippies you know free love and all that crap. But I think you're aware that I really prefer men with accents."

Edward and Aldrich both looked clueless. So I mentally tapped Edward and filled him in, he shook his head and chuckled. Then he grabbed me bent me back so far that my hair was touching the floor and thoroughly kissed me once again. When he stood me up he had a very smug smile on his face. And out of the corner of my eye I caught Aldrich looking down at Penny while she looked at Edward and me wistfully.

Edward pulled me to him and pointed at Aldrich, "You are not on Christmas list. But I think I can understand why you did it and as my wife pointed out I'm not going to actually do what you told them. You may even be right. It will be faster and more expedient if they're already thinking about what they want to hide. But for future reference I loathe this kind subterfuge when dealing with people."

Aldrich dipped his head almost like a bow, "It won't happen again."

Edward cleared his throat. "Well maybe in the future we can discuss it first before we decide one way or the other. And I'm sorry, the cause of my anger was more because of a bad past experience with lying than what you actually did. After that time I promised myself that I would never lie again. I guess one should never, say never. And by the way did you just bow to me?

Aldrich looked rather sheepish staring at his feet when he nodded.

Edward laughed. "Well don't ever let me catch you doing that again. It gives me the creeps, I'm not Wales."

In through the open door walked Wales and Reagan they both looked around. "You're right you're not me. But why do I feel like I just missed the main event."

Masen spoke up before anyone else. "No main event sir just my Mom and Dad sucking face in front of everyone." Yep that's my son I was mortified and turned my face into Edward's chest everyone else including Edward burst out laughing. I let go of Edward and corralled my spawn into the other room to change out of their swim things, Elizabeth and Alice came with me.

EmPOV

Bella skittered out of the room like the hounds of hell were after her. It was days like today that made me so happy that Eddie didn't eat her. She has really brought the best out in my brother. But she was one freaking brave babe to walk up to Edward when he was in full vamp mode that takes guts. I've seen Edward like that only once or twice before and not only is he lethal he is wicked fast. He's so fast that not only do vampires have trouble catching him. They even have an issue just following him with their eyes.

Wales went to open his mouth and I thought it might be better for all if I beat him to it. "So Wales how was the walkabout, bring back any fond memories?

"Funny you should ask but no. It has changed so much it really has a different feel the work that has been done both aesthetically and on the exhibits is truly amazing; Esme, Alastair and you Aldrich are to be commended."

Penny looked up at Aldrich with a mischievous smile. "Wanna come help me put my piercings back in place?"

Aldrich looked like he couldn't swallow and his mouth kept opening then closing but no words. So I jumped in to say the day. "Come on Aldrich how often you gonna get a flat out invitation like that from the girl. Go ahead man!" Penny took his hand and started towards the door when I thought of something. "Hey Penny, I'm curious why did you take so many out in the first place?"

"Because of drag, they cause drag when racing in water."

"Which one suckered you into racing?"

"Anthony."

"Really Hmp I would have thought it would be Masen, he's the dolphin in the family."

"Yeah I found that out the hard way after I beat Anthony. He conned me into challenging Masen and he kicked my ass man!"

She turned back to Aldrich and smirked raising and eyebrow. "Come on Rich I have a few piercings that are tough for me to get to and I think you'll enjoy helping me get them just right." And damn it if she didn't waggle her eyebrows at him. If I had been fishing with Charlie I would say that she had him hook, line and sinker, he was gone!

Wales was mesmerized and for once he didn't get a bitch face or whine he just stood there with a half smirk. Maybe he was finally happy for someone other than himself. But the exit of those two was priceless as she passed Edward she reached over and pinched his ass. "Sorry but I've been dying to do that since I saw you bend over at the airport. And if you tell Bella, please tell her it won't happen again but give me a five minute head start."

She was cheeky I liked her. She looked at Wales from the door. "And Prince if you're looking for your henchman, knight or whatever Aldrich is, he's going to be a little busy for the rest of the day." And with a swoop of the sarong and a flash of leg she left the room with Aldrich close on her heels.

Reagan and Rose had been whispering and then started laughing their asses off Rose couldn't catch her breath and Reagan gasped out. "He has no idea what he's in for, does he?"All Rose could do was shake her head no.

Wales looked at me and asked what they were talking about but I shrugged my shoulders, didn't have clue. Rose looked askance at me, "Emmett what did you get Edward for a wedding gift?"

Hoy shit "Is she the chick in the kama sutra video?" Rose nodded. "Wales you may never see Richie boy again, that girl has got skills and is double jointed to boot, damn! How did I not see that? Hell she didn't have all her body jewellery on in the video just those four pieces that I remember. One in the belly button, one in each nipple and one ..." Rose hit me on the back of the head "...well you can guess where the last one is...was, whatever. Hey Eddie how'd that video work out for you guys, did you get a workout?"

Jasper was practically on the floor laughing and I swear if Edward could blush he would be tomato red and Wales looked like a blow fish. Just then Bella came in waving a black DVD case. "Edward is there any reason that you brought this and told the boys that they can't watch it? They told me you said it was a medical seminar you wanted to review." It was the same case the Kama Sutra video had come in. He dipped his head and looked embarrassed as hell, you are so busted man! "Um Bella, that is our special video." Bella looked so innocent standing there until reality dawned and it was so fucking hilarious. She squealed and ran back into the other room. I finally lost it and was on the floor with Jasper. Edward was sitting on the sofa still looking mortified but starting to chuckle. The Masen's had their wind chimes laughter going in both rooms, Reagan finally burst out, and you could hear Alice tittering in the other room. Wales just stood there taking in each one of us and then you could almost see the light bulb go on, it was as funny as hell seeing it dawn on him. And then he joined in the laughter louder than any of us.

When everybody had gotten control, of themselves once again Alice, Bella and Mrs. M rejoined the group. Bella practically ran for Edward and jumped into his lap giving me the stink eye. Hell Edward was the one that brought the damn video not me. So we sat around for a short while discussing the changes that Wales had seen in the castle. There was a knock at the door and Gideon came in with his arm around Roma, I mean Ester. They both had a 'cat that got the cream' smile on their faces, looking a little rumpled and very sated.

"Damn Gideon your sex hair almost rivals Eddie's! But I have to say my bro is the master, or is that Bella is the master I haven't figured that one out yet."

Edward got that look like I'm going to rip your head off and said: "Emmett I would appreciate it if you didn't take every opportunity to discuss or debate my sex life."

"Fine but I think that is the first time you've used the word sex in a sentence in reference to yourself in all the time I've known you...hey don't get all hostile I'm just making an observation. And Bella thank you for giving me new material to work with frankly the rainbows and unicorns just wasn't working for me anymore after 50 plus years it gets old."

Ah ha he's going to get up, the neck muscles and jaw are tight, here he comes I'm ready for a nice tussle after that long flight. Bella whispers in his ear and then he just settles back with a smug smile "Hey Bells no sexual voodoo, it was about to get interesting in here and you put the fire out."

"Oh Em Edward's fire is nice and hot it's just been banked for the time being to be rechanneled into more pleasurable and less destructive pursuits later."

Gideon and Ester took a seat by Bella and Edward looking at the four them was like seeing a Masters and Johnson's quartet. Alastair then staggered back into the room still carrying all the damn paper from before and looking even more frazzled. "Why do computer types feel it's necessary to speak in a language that is totally incomprehensible? Can't they just use English, hell I'll converse with them in Latin! But no they have to use this whole Geek speak and then translate it slowly into English like I'm some kind of moron! And where the hell is Aldrich?"

No one answered so I took swing at it. "He's doing research with Penny."

"Research, what kind of research, he's wasn't doing any research before you arrived?

"Well maybe not exactly research their looking at jewellery. Actually he's helping her with her jewellery."

Alastair stared laughing. That caught me totally off guard and everyone else by the looks on their faces. "Thank God! Both of them are so damn thick. I've been begging Penny for weeks to just shag him and get it over with then maybe those two would concentrate on the work and stop side stepping each other. We probably won't be seeing them any time soon so let's do the tour. Or do you want to get down to the Alger mess?"

Gideon and Ester looked like they'd been slapped. "Way to go Alastair maybe you should consider taking sensitivity training, after all his parents are in the room."

Alastair looked like he didn't have a clue what he'd done wrong. I walked over and put my hand on his shoulder directing him to a seat. "Well Al I think we'll all sit down and you can give us the low down on Alger's situation."

AlasPOV

I've never like Emmett much. I always felt like I was the butt of his tasteless jokes more often than not. So I chose to ignore the ass and looked at Edward. "Alastair this isn't my show. Wales is the defacto leader of our kind now. I'm here strictly in an advisory capacity and as a friend.

I turned to Wales and he said, "I think Gideon and Roma ...sorry Ester has waited long enough."

"Fine but first Gideon ...is it? Your mate and you have a son that has been very lonely and during his time at the castle has made very few friends because of Caius. In fact his last true friend was I believe Demitri who is no longer with us. Alger has in recent weeks become very depressed in fact he is despondent." Ester looked like she was going to ask something and I put my hand up to forestall her. "Alger is aware that Demitri is no longer with us, but he has a bigger problem that I will get to shortly. When we first arrived here none of us knew of your relationship to the young man called Alger. He worked relentlessly in the library and was a quiet studious young man. And he did not volunteer any personal information. Not surprising really after a life time of living under the thumb of Volterra it makes you very wary. At first we thought he was human but it became clear very quickly that he was more than human. It was Aldrich that actually introduced us to the concept of hybrids after having met the Cullen children and the others."

Ester couldn't container herself any longer. "So he's here in the castle? Is he alright? I want to see him."

I turned to face Alger's parents "All in good time madam. Alger has asked me to be his spokesperson at this time. As an employee of the castle Alger has been invaluable in his assistance and knowledge of the artifacts contained here. That being said while the Volturi reigned here he was kept to only certain areas of the castle and not allowed to mix with the vampire population those he did know thought of him as an aberration and treated him worse than the human servants. He has been alone for a very long time and that plays on a man. It was about eighteen months ago when Felix developed a fixation on a human girl that worked in the kitchens her name is Donna her mother is Italian and father is English. She was backpacking through Tuscany and fell in love with Volterra and decided to stay. At first she worked at the cafe by the city gates and that is where she drew the attention of Felix, and Alger."

Gideon gasped when I mentioned Felix and his son in the same sentence and with good cause Felix was vicious and totally enthralled with violence and cruelty. Ester looked like she would be sick. "Alger was allowed out with an escort monthly in order to feed otherwise he ate at the castle with the humans. Felix thought he was punishing him by allowing him to only feed on the creatures of the forest and not humans. In fact it suited Alger very well but he never let Felix know. When Felix took note of Donna he saw to it that she was offered a job at the castle so she would be closer. Alger knew what he was up to. He'd seen it to many times before. Felix called it playing with his food. Alger took it upon himself to ensure Donna's safety through subterfuge by re-working schedules and such to keep her out of harm's way."

Edward Cullen's wife shuddered and looked at me. "Does this get any worse?"

I smiled at her she was a petit little thing and everything about her seemed made for Edward. I was very happy for him, perhaps next to Carlisle I liked him the most of all my acquaintances. "Yes and no Mrs. Cullen. Alger's plan worked very well. Any time Felix was in her presence she was busy working and could not be separated from the others or culled as Felix called without drawing attention to his intentions. Aro did not stand for the indiscriminate eating of servants. Alger made sure that he was always nearby when she was in the castle, he made excuses to check on her frequently and he was always there when Felix was. Eventually she sought him out and they fell in love.

After Aro's defeat in America they married and up until a few weeks ago they were ecstatically happy, but she had become moody and complained of not feeling well. Then one morning her father well actually her stepfather came to the castle looking for her, he's one nasty piece of work."