Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: This story is rated M for "Massimo," you'll find out who he is later. :) Oh, yeah, and also for "Mature." Please play along, 'cause we don't want to get yanked off of FFn. Thanks!!

Playlist song:
http://www[dot]youtube[dot]com/watch?v=zddQYjX-xMU

Visit our blog for story background, teasers, and other information:
http://fragilefoxes[dot]blogspot[dot]com/

Chapter 8: Take Me Through the Night

When Edward first entered the solid gold doors, he was assaulted by both the scent of human blood and the whirl of thoughts about his father, Carlisle. Several vampires were milling around the room, silently reliving the meal they had just finished in the courtroom, beyond the western wall. Their bright red eyes would had advertised their satiated state just as well as their thoughts or the odor of death that still clung to them, but Edward was obliged to take notice of all three.

Beyond the casually gathered vampires scattered across the wide throne room, Edward saw a more tightly knit group, dressed in dark grey capes, surrounding a raised dais. The platform held three ornately carved, ebony thrones each filled by the leaders of the Volturi as Edward had seen them in the memories of his friends.

Marcus, on the right, was gazing impassively beyond the others. His thoughts had a hazy, numbed quality to them that reminded Edward of hospital patients as they emerged from or succumbed to heavy anesthetic. Marcus was focused on image of a woman with long, jet black hair, ruby eyes and a sweetly smiling face. One word accompanied the vision, Didyme. Edward was happy in that instant that he wasn't able to feel the emotion associated with the thought; for he was sure Marcus was awash in anguish.

To the left sat the white haired Caius. His cerise eyes bored intently into Edward; his thoughts were a tangle of suspicion and fear, at once wary of Edward's motives for coming to Volterra and afraid that Edward could somehow threaten his position as Aro's second in command.

Finally, seated between the others in a chair chased with gold was Aro. He hadn't bothered to look up yet as he was busy conversing with two of his guard. Afton approached Aro, knelt and held out his hand, which his master took with a faux look of boredom. Who did they say this one knows? Carlisle? What on earth can this be about?

The instant he touched Afton's hand though, his eyes shot directly to Edward. He's come looking for her? Oh, my! How this changes things, he thought slyly. Edward wasn't able to keep the confusion from his face and Aro's mind immediately changed tacks, wondering at Edward's reaction. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed his ashen clad minions.

"Edward Cullen," he uttered delightedly, "the son of my dear friend, Carlisle! What an absolute delight." He rose and strode forward, his hands outstretched in greeting. A small, cloaked figure trailed behind him with her hand on his back, but Aro spared no thought for the woman Edward knew was his shield. Aro's mind was filled with curiosity, unable to contain his excitement at being about to touch Edward and find out the myriad of Edward's thoughts and experiences.

Edward held out the letter he had brought but Aro ignored it, preferring to get his information in a more direct fashion. As Aro's cool hand touched him, Edward felt an odd tugging sensation, as if more than his thoughts and memories were being pulled from him. It was compounded by the strange echo effect of seeing all that information mirrored back to him in Aro's thoughts. For the first time in almost a century, Edward felt nauseous.

When it was over, Aro continued to hold Edward's hand. "What an amazing talent you have!" Immediately Aro's mind was filled with the image of Edward at his side in a dark pewter mantle. The mental picture included Edward with burgundy hued eyes.

Since they were still joined, Aro was immediately able to register Edward's disgust with the image. He let out a small sigh as he released Edward's hand. Just an errant thought, of course. You've clearly embraced Carlisle's philosophy. Edward was glad that they were no longer joined because he wasn't sure he believed Aro and he didn't want to offend the Volturi leader before he could gain information from him.

Edward could tell from Aro's mind that he knew Isabella, when he thought of her it was with a familial tone. Does that mean he'll know where she is? He couldn't quite repress the hope that swelled within him at the thought. But it was short lived as his attention was grabbed by the Caius's exasperated thoughts.

I hate when he does this! When will he share the information with the rest of us?

"Aro, won't you tell us what tidings Carlisle's son brings us?" Caius's voice was cool, but there was a hint of annoyance underneath it. Edward wondered how Aro controlled his petulant partner so effectively. He shuddered at the possibilities.

Aro seemed completely unaffected by the mild rancor in his cohort's voice. He was completely consumed with the joy of the moment, for nothing pleased Aro more than knowing more than those around him.

"My brother, young Edward has shown me that our friend Carlisle is thriving in the new life he set out to find. Not only has he sired himself a lovely mate, he was able to add the very talented Edward to his coven as well." Although his voice remained light, he thoughts turned darker, focusing on a petite female guard who hovered solicitously nearby.

"Jane, you didn't tell me that Edward had a talent," he turned his cunning eyes toward her and though it didn't show in his voice, she instinctively cringed at the displeasure she knew her master inevitably felt. She hissed at Edward, hating that she had failed her master and immediately blaming anyone other than herself.

"Master," she murmured obsequiously, "I wasn't aware of it. Neither he nor Carlisle disclosed that information when I questioned them."

"Indeed, neither of them did," Aro allowed before continuing icily, "but it was your task to find out everything, not just what others want you to know, Jane." She stood stock still, simultaneously furious and frightened. "Or are you saying you are no longer able to assist us effectively?"

The room stilled eerily. This was the one moment that every vampire in Volterra feared: falling out of Aro's good graces. Jane's eyes flashed to Edward, focusing her loathing entirely on him. The second I get the chance, I will burn you to the ground, her mind hissed. A fraction of a second later, her head was bowed before Aro's angry gaze and she was mumbling her abject apologies.

Aro's annoyance at the girl he considered a favorite child dissipated quickly. "Jane, cease," he said with quiet distraction. He held out his hands and she placed her own in them. Her head remained bowed, her mind frantically swaying between hope and anger. While Aro did take in Jane's thoughts, he wasn't interested in them. He slipped a finger under her chin to raise her eyes to his.

"Do better in the future, child," he whispered and every mind in the room exhaled in relief.

"Now," Aro exclaimed, clapping his hands and looking at Edward. "Where were we? Oh, yes: Edward's talent." He turned back to Caius and Edward noticed that Aro's mind was focused only on the words he was about to speak. He was editing this thoughts and Edward sensed it was more than just a desire for privacy. He was hiding something.

"Carlisle's son has a remarkable talent, Caius. He can read minds." Aro chuckled merrily as his brother's eyes widened. Caius had always attributed Aro's power to his talent and hearing that another vampire had such a powerful gift made him uneasy.

"Like you, Aro?" he pressed.

"No, Caius…" Aro, apparently enjoying the suspense, allowed Caius to relax a little before adding, "His talent is far more powerful than mine. He doesn't need to touch you to hear your thoughts. He's able to pluck them right out of your head from where he stands."

Edward became the focus of every blood red eye in the room. Jealousy, distrust and shock tumbled through the minds that surrounded him. Most tried to throw up a mental wall in an attempt to block him out but Edward knew too well how difficult that was.

I'm not going to get anywhere if Aro keeps this up, Edward realized.

"My talent is similar to yours, Aro," he conceded, "but not nearly as powerful. I only hear the thoughts that pass through your head as you think them, not every thought you've ever had. Clearly, your gift is exponentially more potent."

Aro nodded his head slightly to accept the compliment. Most of the other vampires continued to be curious but far less careful. Two, though, were not assuaged by Edward's explanation: Caius and Jane. Caius looked directly at Edward and the words Don't ever think that because I don't have a parlor trick talent that I'm to be trifled with, boy, formed in his mind. Jane, along a similar vein, smiled. Since you're talent isn't unique, perhaps I'll get the chance to show you one that is: mine. A clearly formed image of Edward writhing in agony on the floor filled her mind and her smile widened accordingly.

The malice in both minds steeled Edward's resolve to get the information he came for quickly and leave. Volterra apparently was a hotbed of intrigue and in-fighting and Edward was interested in none of it.

"Aro, you know my thoughts now, so you know why I've come," he said trying to redirect the conversation to a more expedient path. Aro nodded slowly.

"Edward comes looking for his sire," he said simply to Caius.

"What are you talking about," his brother shot back with exasperation, tired of Aro's show and ready to be rid of Edward. "Jane already told us that Carlisle's mate is his sire."

Unfortunately for Caius, Aro was just warming up. "Ah…yes. Well, it seems our dear Jane was wrong there as well." Jane's eyes flashed irately from Aro to Edward. Aro held up a hand to prevent her from launching into another denial or explanation. "Carlisle lied, dear one."

Caius's mind went ballistic. How dare that freak flout our authority? "Aro! Jane and Felix were our official representatives. They were acting in your stead. Can we allow this behavior? Is this how Carlisle repays our kindness and friendship? With lies and betrayal?" Caius's past jealousy over Aro's preference for Carlisle flowed back into him like a tidal wave.

Jane's mind was no less vitriolic, although she could barely form a complete sentence in her mind. The words Hate! and Burn! pounded through her brain in a relentless litany. The only person in the room who wasn't full of fear and jealousy and hate was Aro. I can only imagine what you're hearing right now, he smirked at Edward.

Edward realized it was time for a dramatic stance and unfortunately it would require him to bow to Aro's authority: publically and physically. He walked directly toward the Volturi leader, who waved back his guard before turning back to Edward. Surely you're not going to be foolish, young one?

Edward looked confidently into Aro's crimson eyes, then slowly lowered himself to his knees and bowed his head.

"Carlisle only did what he did because he was afraid I would be summarily executed. He had noticed the up-tick in murders as well and had been watching me, although he had no inkling of my talent. When he lied to your guard, he did so only with the hope of saving me, a stranger. Please don't repay his kindness and compassion to me by punishing him for it. If anyone is to be punished, let it be me." Edward continued to stare at Aro's black, slippered feet. Please, God, don't let them kill me. Not when I'm this close to her.

The room was as silent as a tomb. Most of the vampires present were so surprised by Edward's complete and obvious submission to Aro's authority that their minds were blank. Only four minds were not. Jane was alert, ready for the smallest sign that Aro wished to use her talents, so that she could wield her excruciating power on Edward. Caius was wary, knowing Aro to well to think he wouldn't be charmed by Edward's flattering deference. Aro was indeed charmed, loving that no matter who Edward called his father, he bowed before Aro like a servant. The one surprise for Edward was Marcus, who turned his head toward his brother for the first time since Edward entered the room.

"Aro," Marcus whispered, his voice soft and grainy from lack of use, "you know from the boy's mind whether or not Carlisle intended any harm or offense. If he didn't, tell him to get off his knees; he'll scuff the marble." With that his mind returned to its melancholic dirge for his long lost love.

"My brother, as always, you are wise," Aro replied sweetly. He motioned for Edward to rise, which he did quickly. Jane and Caius did nothing to hide their displeasure but both knew better than to openly voice it. Like all of their other petty grievances, they simply tucked this one away, to be nursed for a future payback. Edward was slightly sickened by the relentless backstabbing and grudge-holding these vampires engaged in and wondered how Carlisle could have spent more than a single day among them.

"I believe you, Edward Cullen, that my dear friend intended no offense or harm and was simply acting out of the wish to save a fellow creature. That was ever his way." Aro turned to murmur in an underling's ear, telling them to send guards to clear out his private study. "Come," he said as he turned back to Edward with a sweet smile, "you must tell me all about Carlisle again. I do so love a good story." He gestured for Edward to walk beside him as he led his entourage out of the throne room and into the castle proper. Once they reached Aro's study, he dismissed the bulk of the guards to wait outside the door, taking only his shy shield, Renata, with him.

Aro motioned for Edward to sit in one of the opulent chairs that peppered the space and Edward complied, choosing an ancient looking campaign chair. Aro sat in the one across from him and Renata remained standing, her fingers flittering nervously along her master's cloak, her mind completely consumed with her task of protecting Aro.

"So, you've come looking for Isabella Swan," Aro began. Edward could tell from his Cheshire grin that Aro knew everything Edward wanted to know about Isabella and probably more. The only question was what would it take for Aro to give him that information? Edward didn't believe Aro was in the habit of giving anything away for free.

"Well, you've certainly come to the right spot," he continued in a friendly tone, "but I'm sorry to inform you that Isabella left our fair city some time ago." Aro continued to watch Edward closely. His mind was focused on Edward's reactions to his words, something he had seen Rosalie do in Edward's memories and hence knew to be a very effective way of keeping his other thoughts from Edward.

There were so many questions Edward wanted to ask Aro. What was she like now? Had she changed other vampires? Did she ever mention him? He burned with shame at how desperate he would sound and warred with himself as to whether he cared or not if Aro ultimately held him in disdain. Quickly he decided that Aro's opinion of him mattered not at all, especially when compared to how much he wanted this information.

"You know that I knew Isabella only as a human and I don't have many clear memories of her. Can you tell me anything about her now?" It seemed a safe way to phrase the question and Aro considered it. Clearly he had many images in his mind of Bella, they flashed through quickly, giving Edward nothing more than glimpses of her face, just as beautiful as it had ever been.

Aro again focused on Edward's face to calm the torrent of images in his mind. "I have many memories of Isabella but before I can concentrate on one, there is something that troubles me." Aha, Edward smiled grimly, and here comes the price for his information.

"Carlisle has quite a powerful talent in his coven now," Aro paused, rolling around the right way to phrase his question, still very aware that Edward was hearing all his versions. "I can't help but wonder what Carlisle hopes to gain by proselytizing his," aberrant, revolting, unnatural, "unusual lifestyle." Is he looking to create his own seat of power in the New World? Aro couldn't keep that last question out of his mind before he refocused on Edward's features, effectively blanking his mind.

So information on Carlisle is the price I have to pay. Edward thought about it for less than a second but to their kind it was a lengthy pause. Edward knew Carlisle had no such intentions so answering the question could only do good, soothing Aro's irrational fears and smoothing relations out between the two covens. Still, Edward felt cheapened by reporting on Carlisle, as if he were some sort of spy. He tried to think of what advice his father would give him in this moment. It wasn't hard to imagine: Carlisle would laugh at the thought that information on him could somehow be valuable, but he would tell Edward to give it if it would help him. So he did.

"Carlisle has never wanted anything other than to help others. I can assure you with every fiber of my being that he harbors no hopes or desires to challenge you in any way. Carlisle seeks only to live in peace, and he offers aid to others who choose to live similarly; nothing more." Edward's voice rang with sincerity, but still he held out his hand toward Aro, an offering and a challenge.

Aro nodded his head sagely and for a moment Edward questioned whether the ancient leader would test the veracity of his statements with his powerful touch. Then, with a shrewd look, Aro's eyes whipped to Edward's and he seized Edward's hand. Being prepared for the ebb and flow of information helped prevent the nausea he had felt the first time, but Edward couldn't help but mark the experience as unpleasant in his thoughts, something Aro picked up on in addition to the other information he sought.

"Thank you, Edward," he said finally. "I do think of Carlisle as if he were my own flesh and blood, but you must understand that after so many years, I have seen many a man's flesh and blood betray him." Edward was surprised to see Aro's thoughts drift over the same lovely vampire from Marcus's memories, the woman he named Didyme with such love and loss. Aro's thoughts claimed her as his sister and Edward saw a glimpse of Aro uttering a command about her, many centuries ago, "Burn her." He shuddered with the realization that Aro had been willing to destroy his own sister and wondered what she had done to deserve such a fate.

"It is unpleasant, is it not, this gift we have," Aro's soft voice broke into Edward's reverie. "Having to see not only all the minutia of the minds around us but their most private thoughts. It's a burden, no?" Edward understood the warning he was being given.

"It certainly is," Edward agreed. "But then, with your vastly more in-depth power, you surely know how much that passes through a mind is idle; how few times a person will really act upon a thought." Please understand that I would never use your thoughts against you, Aro. Edward said in his mind as Aro's hand lingered upon his own. Please understand that all I want is to find my Isabella.

Aro smiled. "Your Isabella, hmm? I don't know much about your Isabella, but let me show you something of mine." He settled on one memory from a couple of decades ago, letting it unfold in his mind slowly.

Bella was walking up to Aro in the same room Edward had been in only minutes earlier. Over a simple yet elegant sundress, she wore a dark grey cloak, marking her as one of the guard. Her hood hung back, letting her long, dark hair ripple down her back as she ran her hand distractedly through it. Despite the fact that she would never need sleep, her expression was that of fatigue, as if she had just experienced a very long day. When she arrived at the dais where Aro was seated, she held out her hands, freely offering Aro information in the quickest way possible.

Aro took the information and her greeting at the same time, letting the images she presented to him fly through his head. Edward wasn't able to catch them all but they centered on a very young vampire, a beautiful, dark haired boy no more than fourteen years old, with a wild, feral look in his eyes. The last image was held in Aro's mind the longest, it was a bonfire at dusk by the seashore, where purple smoke snaked lazily into the deep amethyst sky.

"So it is done then, Bella" Aro said with some satisfaction as he stepped back from the embrace and turned Isabella by her arm to walk with him. "Did the young one give you any trouble, dear one?" he asked lightly, although he could see that the boy hadn't.

"No, but I can't help but feel sorry for him and for Jane as well, Aro. Despite Massimo's youth and unpredictability, she considered him her mate. Having her one true love destroyed, the pain of that…" her voice trailed off as her ruby eyes flickered with sadness. She shook her head as if dispelling a painful memory of her own. "Do you know what she will do?"

Aro sighed wearily. "Who can say?" Aro threw his hands up slightly and grimaced. "She was understandably livid at first, making wild threats at everyone under the sun. I had to ask Alec to control her before she lashed out and did something she couldn't take back." Aro's thoughts flitted to the scene where Jane, in a towering rage was turning her power on one after another of the Volturi guard, demanding that Aro prevent Massimo's execution. She howled empty threats at Caius and Aro, and less empty ones at the absent Bella, tantruming like an overtired toddler until Alec had stepped in at Aro's command. As Alec confronted his twin, there was a moment when Aro was uncertain whether she would fell her own brother, but when she saw the fear in his eyes, fear for them both, she had broken, falling to the floor in tearless sobs.

"She's with Alec and Chelsea now," he added, almost as an afterthought. Bella nodded sadly.

"Does she blame me?" He could tell from her expression that she already knew Jane did. Aro sighed again. "Yes, but I will show her the error of her logic, dear one. Not that you above all others need to fear Jane. There's no way she could penetrate your shield unless you willed it."

Edward was able to tell that Bella, as Aro called her, had quite a powerful shielding talent. Unlike Renata, who deflected a vampire passively, Bella talent was more like a barrier: she could encase herself, or anyone she chose, in a zone of safety. She could even keep Aro from reading her thoughts if she so chose, although she lowered her shield for him as a sign of respect, something Aro cherished with absolute delight.

"She should blame me," Bella said despondently. "No one should find love, only to have it ripped away from them. I didn't think I'd ever see the day I pitied Jane, but today I do." Bella opened her mouth to say more, but suddenly the vision disappeared, replaced by an intense scrutiny of Edward's bronze brows.

Edward longed to see more. Despite the fact that Aro's vision raised as many questions as it answered for him, Edward hadn't been so close to Isabella in almost a century. He knew one thing for sure: Aro had given him a priceless gift. By giving him this memory of Isabella, he had given him a crystal clear image of her, not the hazy ones he had clung to for so long. His perfect mind would retain them indefinitely and thus she would always be close. It might be a double-edged sword in the future, but for now, it was bliss. Edward rose.

"I can't thank you enough Aro. You've given me so much and in return I have so little to offer." Edward wished there was a way he could show the Volturi leader his gratitude.

"You could offer to join our household," Aro's mind reeled at the possibilities of two mind readers, especially one that could read thoughts from a distance.

"It's an honor to be asked, I assure you, but an honor too good for me." Edward replied politely, standing now that his audience was at an end. Aro nodded as if that were the answer he expected.

"Carlisle was very fortunate to have found you," he said by means of parting. "Please send him my fondest regards."

Edward shook his head. "I was the fortunate one," he answered fervently. "But I will give my father your good wishes. Thank you again, Aro."

Aro nodded as Edward turned to leave. Edward was almost out the door when Aro's final thought came flitting through the ether. I believe she's returned to Chicago, dear boy, should you be interested in finding your Isabella. The thought was accompanied by a small, mischievous chuckle.