Author's Note: Drabble chapter. I do apologize for the length and brevity, but it's necessary to make way for chapter ten, which will be chock full of romance, back-story and, of course, drama. ^_^
I'd like to thank everyone who has taken the time to read/review/favorite. You guys are awesome!
Disclaimer: I claim no ownership of Stephenie Meyer's work.
Chapter Nine
When Caius comes to the atrium the next morning, Marcus meets him in the arched doorway before he can set foot in the hall of judgment.
They exchange languid greetings and Caius is stirred by the peculiar expression on his brother's face. His curiosity, however, soon turns to unease when Marcus takes his arm.
"Dear brother, I have news to impart."
Caius is the consummate fox. Clever. His nostrils dilate to detect any disturbance in the balanced household of the Volturi. "Can it wait," he suggests, "until after we pass judgment on this errant guard, this Sulpicia." Wisely, he would rather not have his conscience marred by annoyance.
Marcus removes his arm from his brother's sleeve, his fingers dancing in the air for the briefest moment, conjuring diamonds from a stray beam of sunlight. "It is in relation to the present matter, I'm afraid," he says softly. "Aro asked me to speak with you."
By now, the guards have begun to gather on the outskirts of the room, their long cloaks dusting the cold stone floor as they arrange themselves by the doorways.
Jane is nearest to the ancients, and, despite her unwavering obedience to her masters, she listens to them converse.
Caius watches Marcus closely, his lips puckering in thought. At length, his eyes widen in understanding. "Tell me," he asks, "has Aro disposed of Sulpicia already?"
Marcus hesitates. "In a manner." His brevity perturbs the white-haired vampire into frowning.
Didyme and Athenodora arrive, clustering close to their mates. The air is suddenly breathless.
"Gods," Caius utters. "What has Aro done?"
Slightly, ever so slightly, Marcus flinches. "I believe," he says, "that our brother has taken Sulpicia from Volterra into the countryside."
"To free her?" Caius' brows are arched, angry.
"To mate with her," Marcus finishes.
The atrium is silent. And little Jane thinks that perhaps she should not have spent so much time torturing the woman who shall now become her mistress.