Chapter 10
Guest
I watch her sleep. It is sick I know, but she is fascinating even when she dreams. I watch her struggle to get comfortable knowing she likely has bruises on her back and shoulder. What she does not realize is that I was not out of control. Maybe I was a little oblivious, but hurting her was purely a miscalculation on what she could take. It was not my lack of restraint, but her fragility that caught me off guard.
I hear the phone ring in the other corner of the house and race to answer it. Supernatural speed allows me to catch it before the fourth ring and I hear Carlisle's welcome voice on the other end. He is about to board the plane for the final leg of his trip. It surprises me when he asks me if she is still alive. I forgot the dire warning I had implied when I begged him to come, and I assure him she is still alive. He tells me he should be landing just after two in the morning, and he wonders if he should rent a car or if I will pick him up.
I weigh the inconvenience of driving to pick him up with the control of having him somewhat dependent on me. "I will pick you up. We will have more time to talk about my mouse." I have to laugh at his confusion but I promise to explain when I see him. I take down the time and flight information and hang up.
Back in my own suite I clean up all the evidence of her recent visit. I can smell her scent lingering in every corner of my room and it reminds me of the reason for Carlisle's visit. That I want her is no longer a doubt in my mind. The question for me is less why and more how, as I remember Carlisle's young adopted son Edward and the human girl he married and with whom he remarkably had a child.
As I pick up the clothes she left in a pile on the bench in the bathroom, I smell her so strongly. I hold the shirt to my face. That I thought to provide her with perfumes and scents seems ridiculous to me as her own scent is far sweeter. A small noise of metal on tile catches my attention. The key has fallen out of the pocket of the discarded pants. I pick it up and put it back into my own pocket. With the room tidied, I go back to my real sanctuary in the library. Her scent is strong here as well, though she did not roam about and it is confined to one area. It takes a few moments to write another brief letter to her just in case she wakes while I am gone.
I slip back down to the cellar and place the note where she will no doubt find it if she happens to wake. The allure of her sleeping form is strong, reminding me it has been only a few hours since I last touched her, held her, and kissed her. Against my better judgment I step closer. I am just about to pull her nightgown up to check on her injuries myself when I am reminded of her warning about facing her like a man. If only she knew how that thought tortures me.
It is only knowing that I am going to hopefully find help for my situation, that I am able to tear myself away from her. I pull the blankets up over her and sneak out of her cell. I hate it, but I lock her door to prevent her from escaping. She should sleep soundly through the night and so I reluctantly leave her.
I lock the doors as I leave and I am surprised when Aro runs from the darkness to greet me on the way to the garage. I pet his soft head before ordering him back on guard duty. In the garage I see my Rolls Royce Phantom sitting next to Vladmir's red Ferrari. He is so enamored of the Cullens he even chose his car because the newborn beauty Bella drives the same.
I am quite certain the thief would have known about the cars as soon as he made it onto the property. It does not take a mind reader to know what he would have done to Summer once he and his friends got what they wanted. A tourist with no contacts could easily turn up dead with few questions asked. Her beauty assured that she would likely have been raped before they were finished with her. Before I allow myself to become angry I examine my own intentions toward her and know that I am not much different from the thief. The small difference is that I do not intend to kill her. But the road to Hell is paved with good intentions as they say.
The car is all but silent as I drive through the quiet streets. The airport is an hours drive and I listen to classical orchestral music for a short time before swapping the cd with one by Yanni. It is more lively, and I like that he is Greek; perhaps he has been inspired by the sights and sounds I remember from my youth. Most modern devices do not interest me, but I appreciate being able to have music at the touch of a button. The car comes equipped with every convenience and I make it to the airport in less than half the time. I pull to the curb where cars are not permitted to park and I tip the attendant 300 new lei to be left in peace.
I read a book I have stashed in the car while I wait. Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat: The Great Speeches of Winston Churchill keeps me occupied while I try not to watch the clock. I am thankful that he gained prominence before the Volturi could have the thought to change him and create a new Orator. He would have been formidable. I pause to wonder why they do not change more talented humans to join them. Several ideas come to me but one I remember is likely – Volterra is saturated with our kind. If they propagated more newborns just to see if their talents turned into powers there would be no denying their existence to the world. It would be impossible for one city to conceal that many serial killers; in fact they barely achieve it now.
I have to smile as I think of the three ancients sitting imperiously on their thrones. Another reason they may not create new talent, is because of fear. An Orator like Churchill could bring them power, but more likely he would be so powerful as to challenge their own authority. It explains why they try to pull from an already existing pool of talent, in essence sticking with the devil they know.
It explains why they tried so hard to recruit from the Cullen family. It amuses me to no end how they were so clearly beaten by Carlisle's American coven when they sought to acquire members of his family while wiping out their powerful alliance. I wonder if they understand the irony; that the two talents of the ancients were both beaten by the Cullen's. Aro couldn't read the lovely Bella. And Marcus had to feel it was the strength of her love for her husband Edward and their friends and family that made her the most powerful shield they had ever seen. Add to that the terror Cauis must have felt seeing the enormous wolves prowling the woods, and it has become a priceless memory.
It is time. I set my book and my memories aside to go to collect Carlisle and hope he still considers me a friend after summoning him here. When I see him pass by the security I have to smile. Even with his modern clothes and demeanor he stands out among all the other passengers as well as the tired people waiting. He does not seem to notice the hungry looks and stares from any woman he passes as he runs his fingers through his blond hair. He carries his one carry on piece, not needing the wheels everyone else uses. I do not need to wave or draw attention to myself as he can sense me instantly; I am the only other presence with no beating heart.
I greet him with a handshake and he smiles briefly to show he does still consider me a friend. I know that he too has spent time in Volterra and he has a clear picture of that which the Volturi are capable. Still, like so many of our kind, he believes that my animosity toward them comes merely from our coven and empire being destroyed by the vultures centuries ago. It is for my own protection that I allow that misconception to stand.
He only has his one bag and I notice many stares as we leave together, moving at human speed, but with inhuman purpose and intensity. He smirks at the Rolls-Royce as he opens the front passenger door murmuring,"subtle."
I again drive, but with the music turned off. I keep my speed to legal limits which will give me more time to talk with him before he meets my ….guest. I spend time telling him about her; how she came to be in my home and also about the thief. He obviously disapproves of my killing him, but he says nothing. I notice his golden eyes and know he has fed recently, and I am thankful. I trust that Summer will not be a temptation to him, but I know how she tempts even me and so I worry.
He asks if she is healthy and unhurt as he has brought his medical supplies with him as well. I try to hide my guilt from him but he sees and looks angrily at me for a moment. "I have accidentally bruised her. I was hoping you would see to her as she does not want me to look at her body." I hear the shame in my voice and I know he must hear it too.
"Stefan, I would think that one your age would have more control than this. There are no accidents where humans are concerned; they are fragile and if you can't keep from hurting them then you shouldn't touch them." His sense of protection toward humanity is refreshing if somewhat unfamiliar to me.
"Why do you think I called you? I can restrain myself better than most, even among those 'my age.' It is this girl; Summer...she tears through my restraint like paper! Truly if I had killed her I would have never known such temptation could exist. In sparing her I have found so many reasons to let her live, and yet she knows! She knows who and what I am and I have doomed her by saving her; can you understand? I need to find a way to keep her alive and not make her vulnerable to the law. But even more I want to keep from destroying her myself. And if that were not enough there is a development that leaves me shocked and somewhat embarrassed."
He looks at me like he is judging my sanity, but still he listens. "When I first attempted to...end her; she was a witness to my killing of the thief as well as an intruder in my home. I thought it would be simple. But I could not since there was some kind of physical attraction between us. This girl wanted me and enticed me to take her. It was an open invitation to have her any way I desired and I did desire her. You know how rare it is to find that kind of reaction among our own kind, but to find it with a human...it is impossible!"
He smiles then, shaking his head. "Not impossible my friend, only extremely rare. You should have seen my....friend Edward when he discovered Bella. You know she is his singer, so he had to fight every moment he was with her not to take her. He had been surviving on animals for decades or she would have died in a very public attack, and we would have had to flee. That she fell in love with him is a miracle and a mystery even Marcus can't understand."
"But there is no love involved here. When I am with my mouse there is attraction, and desire, and lust, and I want her as a man! And she has confessed she feels the same way for me. I know you can help me, and maybe if I can get this yearning out of my system she can leave and pretend she never knew me. I need to know how I can ….be intimate with her as a man and not kill her. I know it is possible, and that gives me hope. I need you to help me Carlisle!"
His look is incredulous. "Wait a minute...you had me leave my family and my responsibilities, and travel all this way just to help you get laid?"
His words shock me and my hands come close to crushing the steering wheel. "Must you be so vulgar? You do not understand – I need her! But it is not about the need, it is about her." I struggle to get my indignation under control. Americans have a strange way with language and I am sure he meant no disrespect. Still he is looking at me strangely as I bring my speed back down to calm.
"Wait until you meet her; she is a fascinating creature, with a beauty almost as bright as our kind. She is honest, and compassionate, with such a gentle spirit one cannot help but like her." I find myself trying to convince Carlisle of her merits, hoping to sway him to help us. "I would not even ask if she did not want me also. I do not know why she feels this way; you know I could influence her, but truly I have not except to warn her away from me when I was too close to my breaking point. She has become someone important to me in a very short time."
"You're falling in love with her." His simple words take me by surprise and I am shaking my head in denial before I let them sink in. "If you don't have feelings for her, just let her go. As long as she never runs across another vampire, your secret is safe; Aro would never try to read you, and I …." He smiles at how fully his family embarrassed the Volturi. "...I am not likely to come into contact with Aro any time soon. Just let her go. Make her promise to keep the secret and set her free."
I feel my hope sinking at his words. He has no idea of the magnetism she has for me. "Wait until you meet her. If you cannot help me solve this puzzle, then you can help me let her go. I cannot do it alone; she has made me weak." I have two other thoughts that intrude and I am afraid to bring them up.
"Carlisle, what if I turn her?"
He looks at me with his brows drawn together. "You of all people should know better. The Volturi are getting less and less permissive where newborns are concerned, and they are just looking for an excuse to remove you and Vladmir. You might get away with it, but you also know the responsibility with a newborn. Are you really up to that kind of discipline? And more importantly would she want this?"
"She has not brought it up. She is a vegetarian because she does not even want to kill animals to survive. I think it would be very difficult for her – but if it meant we could be lovers – I just thought I'd ask." I have trouble thinking of the right way to ask my next question. It is quiet between us and I pull into the drive and then the garage of the house. I turn off the engine and we listen to it's ticks as it cools. I cannot look at him as the question slips from my lips. "What if we mate as she is? Could she bear my child?" I understand it is possible, but what I need him to tell me is what is involved. If I am honest with myself it is the whole reason I asked him here in the first place.
"Oh Stefan, what are you getting me into? You already know the answer to your question. But I'll tell you what you need to hear. It almost killed Bella; no, to be honest it did kill her. If Edward hadn't changed her, the birth would have destroyed her. I'm a doctor and there was nothing I could do as it took over her body, breaking her bones and stealing everything it needed from her. It was horrifying to watch; it grew so fast within her we had no idea what to expect from day to day, or even hour to hour. She had to drink blood just to keep it from taking all of her energy to sustain itself.
"I'm a doctor and I would never advise anyone to try what she did. All the other half vampire children killed their mothers, and Nahuel killed his mother and turned her sister who was caring for him. I am sure once the Volturi investigate the whole situation they will disallow such mating. That will be one law I will fully support. It should always be wrong to trade one life for another if there is no need. As much as I love my granddaughter, the cost is just too high. We were very lucky."
I am not sure what to say. I feel like the hope I had is being snatched away by the very one I had believed would help me. An idea slips into my head and before he opens the door I ask. "What if the pregnancy is...ended early? I mean what if the baby is delivered prematurely and cared for outside of the mother? Humans do it all the time to keep a normal baby from hurting the mother, could we not?" I should know better than to hope, but I watch him as he considers my idea.
"I'll be honest, I just don't know. Bella became so protective of the baby she wouldn't let me near her unless I promised not to interfere. When she was delivered Edward said he had to tear the baby from the uterus with his own teeth because it was vampire tough. I wasn't there so I don't know if it would be possible to cut a half breed baby out of something so strong. There was so much damage she bled to death just before he changed her. Please don't even think about this Stefan. I'll help you in any way I can – get her birth control or whatever she needs if you want to be with her. There are some doors that we just have to leave closed. I'm sorry." He opened the door and got out.
Before we entered the house Aro made another appearance, sniffing Carlisle guardedly before trotting off around the house.
Once inside I do not know how to introduce him to Summer. I want to wait until morning and introduce them in the light of day, but Carlisle says his time is limited and he would rather get a start on solving our problem. I lead him through the kitchen and down into the cellar. He seems disturbed by the idea that she isn't in a guest room. "I had to keep her down here to help mute the attraction she sends. It is not ideal I realize. She is probably asleep now." I am seeing the cellar from the eyes of a stranger and it is dismal.
I approach her cell carefully, letting my heels click on the stone. I have turned on the lights to help bring her out of sleep and I can hear her beating heart. She sounds nervous and I hurry to get to her. As soon as we reach the cell her heart races at the sight of Carlisle. She has changed out of the night gown and is wearing a skirt and blouse, complete with shoes. She must have been awake before my return and to me it looks like she has been crying. She rushes to me and puts her hand on the glass wall. "I was worried. I didn't know you'd left!" Her voice tells me she was more than worried and that confuses me.
"Did you wake up my dear? I left a note just in case." She looks over at the note as if seeing it for the first time.
She sighs deeply. "I had a nightmare and when I woke up I called you, but you didn't answer. It was so dark down here; I didn't know there was a note. I was afraid something had happened...I heard the dog barking and the door was locked..."
I am aware of Carlisle's silence behind me. "Summer, this is my friend Carlisle." I make the introductions, as awkward as it was with the glass between us. "He is a doctor as well as one of my kind. Would you allow him to check you and see how badly I hurt you?" She looks terrified of him and then she locks her eyes onto me for reassurance. "He is one of those who only hunt animals. He will not hurt you." He has brought along his medical bag and I barely noticed before. I guess she is not the only nervous one here.
"I told you Stefan, I'm not hurt that bad. I'll be fine; it hardly hurts at all now." She smiles, but I know it is for his benefit.
"I can tell when you lie, Mouse." I smile her way. "I would not allow him near you if I did not trust him." I reach into my pocket and use the key to open her cell. As soon as the door swings she hurries to me, wrapping her arms around me and nestling against me. I hold her as gently as I can, touching her face and sifting my fingers through her hair. As careful as I am, she is more ardent, holding me tightly with her body pressed against me.
"I was so worried; I had a dream that they came for you and took you away. When I woke up you were gone and I was so worried that it wasn't just a dream." Her hand caresses my cheek before her fingers slip into my hair.
"Shhh... It is okay, just relax and stay calm." I try to sooth her as she rests her face against my chest. I hold her as I look over her shoulder at Carlisle. Her breathing feels odd to me and I pull away to see she is crying, and I am overwhelmed with a need to comfort her. "Summer, what is it?" I tip her face up and wipe her tears with my hand.
I can feel the hitch in her tiny voice as she looks up at me with her sad blue eyes. "I was just so scared! I'm just so glad you're back – I missed you Stefan!"
I am lost as her tears take my resolve and her sad beautiful face captures me. I do not remember deciding to kiss her, but I am completely absorbed with her taste, smell, softness and warmth, feeling her tongue playing with mine. In seconds I am unaware of everything but her and my need for her.
The hand on my shoulder digs in painfully and my eyes snap open to see Carlisle trying to get my attention. "Let her go Stefan! You're going to hurt her if you don't release her now." I lift my head and notice he has placed his arm between us trying to separate us without hurting her. I feel a shock as I remember how Caius caused me to become possessive of Tessa by trying to pull me away from her. Carlisle isn't pulling, just guarding her so I cannot crush her. I let go and she seems just as surprised as I am of our actions. She steps inside the cell and closes the door looking guilty.
Carlisle and I stand looking at one another before we turn to leave, and I can almost hear his thoughts. I quietly apologize to her as we pass, leaving her where she stands as we make our way out of the cellar. We wind up in a small sitting room and he sits opposite me in silence.
"Do you see what I am talking about?" I try to explain, gesturing with my hands even as his golden eyes cut through my defenses. "She is like a drug to me. I did not plan to kiss her. I just wanted you to meet her, but then she was crying and her tears...my god her tears. Carlisle you have got to help me!" He is so much younger than me, but he is the authority on this issue and I am all but praying that he will settle this for the sake of my soul.
He looks at me with kindness which is so unusual among our kind. "First I need to know if you are influencing her? I know you can draw people to you with your voice and your will. How much of this is your talent?"
"I wish I knew. That is part of the puzzle. I can honestly say I am not trying to draw her to me. I feel it may be happening, but it is not my will. I always thought I was the master of my own will, but this goes so much against all I know; she has a hold on me I cannot deny." I look at him and still he is quiet and thoughtful. It should not bother me as I have come to enjoy silence, but I feel that his thoughts could be taking him closer to a conclusion I will not like, and so I speak. "She is vulnerable to my command. I can order her to stay away from me and it works for a short time. And she does not attract me when she is drugged and unconscious."
"You drugged her!" His look is incredulous and furious and he leaps to his feet . "You can't treat people like that! What the hell were you thinking, she's not a toy!"
I can match him in intensity as I too stand. "I thought that if I did not do something, I was going to KILL her – or worse! You have no idea the things I have thought about doing to her. To have a perfectly willing victim, do you have any idea how powerful a temptation that is? Your Edward has remarked that for him it was as if the lion fell in love with the lamb. How sweet a sentiment But for me it is as if the lamb has come willingly into the lions den. It – she – has welcomed me to take whatever I would from her, and I was perfectly willing to comply with her desires. So I drugged her. And yes I did toy with her; this she knows. I tested my resolve against her, and I could resist while she was not conscious. But even in her sleep she pulls me! The barrier in the cellar blocks enough that I can resist, but I do not believe it blocks my influence on her completely."
Carlisle still looks angry, but he is calming. "I'll need to talk to her myself – and without you nearby." He holds his hand out and it takes me a second to realize he is asking for the key to her cell. I hold it in my hand, reluctant to give it to him. Of course I did ask for his help, but do I trust him? I look into his golden stare and realize that he is likely the only one I can trust with her. I hand him the key.