Disclaimer: Twilight is the property of Stephenie Meyer
Just a quick note to say that I'm going to be busy over the next few weeks so I apologise if I post anything later than usual.
I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Noble, Fadewind, Bibika94, Lsb123, Alphabloodwolf, Alexsandra, anamika cullen, Skys the Limit 7507, and BellaNessieCullen
As I had planned to find out information on Alec's trial I went to find Jane immediately the next morning. I found her in Esme's old office looking over a myriad of messages and there was something angry and very sad about her. She seemed to exude these emotions as if she had suddenly developed Uncle Jasper's powers.
She looked up when I entered.
"Liza, what can I do for you this morning?" She asked, trying to sound polite, but there was no denying the undertones of annoyance.
"I have come…" I began.
"To inquire when the trial will be held." She said, cutting me off.
I nodded.
"Your guess is as good as mine." She said with a sigh as she placed papers down on the desk. "I should hear back from Aro today. Hopefully they will agree to hold the trial some time tonight. I wish to have this business over and done with. Once the accused has been dealt with I can go home and get on with running this country."
"The accused?" I asked.
"Liza, I have to distance myself. I cannot think of him as my brother, I can't refer to him by his name, other than when it cannot be avoided." Jane explained. "Can you help me by referring to him as the accused?"
"Of course." I stated. "May I take a seat? Is there anything you require help with? I am good at creating order within chaos."
"Please sit." Jane said.
I sat.
"I haven't got anything I need you to do for me." Jane stated. "I want a break from everything. Can you distract me?"
"How would you like me to distract you?" I asked.
"Tell me all about you and Mal." She said with a grin. "I was surprised to see you without him this morning you two have become so inseparable."
"We have been through much together and have formed a bond due to this." I stated.
"There is more. The sexual chemistry between you is sizzling." She said with a grin. "I almost had him once you know, but he was merely distracting me from crowding your parents. He invited me to his room for some fun, and then stuffed his face with food. I find it laughable now, but at the time I found it disgusting. Watching the boy eat human food was always somehow nauseating."
"I will have to ask Mal about that tale." I said, deliberately remaining unfazed for I knew she was attempting to rile me for her own amusement. "There is so much he did before he met me that we have yet to discuss it all. Especially all there is to know of his time in Volterra. I think you will find it understandable that he considers his time in Volterra as a dark one with very few instances of light."
"I can understand." Jane said, giving me a steady look. "That place stunted me for centuries. It turned me into a sorry creature who deserved no love but could not understand why she could not find it. So many trysts that ended in naught. Volterra was a dark place for me too. But now brought into the light I have thrived, grown as a person. Who would have thought ten years ago that Jane of Volterra would be happily calling herself Jane Drake, head of the VCAC guard? Would anyone have thought that I would leave behind my blind devotion to Aro and allow my affection to grow for someone I could love, and would love me back? I certainly didn't. Now I am here in America, with my lovely Fred, and life couldn't be any better."
"I am glad you are happy with your Fred, and your life in general." I said with a smile.
"Yes." Jane said, and I was sure for a moment she stifled a sob.
"I am sorry to have visited you with my trouble." I said, feeling guilty.
"Liza, there is only one person to blame for all of this trouble, and it is not you. We all know it is the accused, although I am sure he would happily blame you for being aggressively alluring." She replied in a warily angry voice.
"I may have been aggressively alluring when he held me captive." I admitted sheepishly.
"Yes. I read Agent Rea's report." Jane observed, pointing to a manila file. "You are quite the femme fatale when the need takes you. I could use you in a few cases we have going right now. A dhampir willing to attempt a seduction would be beneficial to our cause."
"But what happens when the subject expects me to follow through on the seduction? I doubt my request for protection would work again."
"Perhaps when you have sampled men and are more confident in your body you will lend us your talents." Jane said with a shrug.
"I only intend to give my body to one man." I stated firmly.
"Mal." Jane said with a grin.
"Possibly." I said blandly. "If I decide he is the one for me."
Jane grinned, but then she was distracted by a buzz from the laptop in front of her. She turned to the screen and clicked a few buttons. Then she froze.
"What is it?" I asked.
There was no reply and Jane was unmoving. I walked around the desk and read the e-mail.
Dearest Jane Drake
Thank you for your invitation for us to preside over the trial of Alec Wessex, formally of the Volturi. We are happy that you saw fit to invite us to preside over the trial by video link. Our next window is eight o'clock of the evening upon December twenty first. I believe that will make it midday in your time. This is the only available time until after the Christian celebrations.
We look forward to this chance of joint justice between the Volturi and the Vampire Coalition of America and Canada. Please reply with expedience,
Your ever-faithful friend
Aro
"We must wait another two days?" I asked, feeling aghast.
"It is not the time frame that spooks me." Jane stated. "It is the date."
"The twenty first?" I questioned.
"The significance of the date."
"The solstice?"
"It is a significant celestial date. Aro never holds trial on such dates because it's reserved for ceremonies. Why would he start now?"
I thought about it for a moment.
"To unnerve you I am sure." I stated. "Aro knows you well Jane. At least he knows how to hurt you, but you are stronger than that person he kept a hate filled girl who would do his every bidding to feel and iota of fatherly approval. I advise you to ignore the date as an attempt by Aro to assert control and treat it as any other day."
"You are right of course." Jane said as she frowned. "Aro is attempting to unnerve me and I will not allow him. I must inform the others of the date of the trial."
Without another word Jane left the office. I didn't think it right to linger and I left the office myself. I drifted up to my room where Mal was emerging from the bathroom.
"Morning." He said brightly. "You were up and about early, why didn't you wake me?"
"I had to attend to something this morning before I forgot." I stated.
"And that was?" He prompted when I fell silent.
"I had to discover the date of Alec's trial so we may put this whole sordid affair behind us. We must wait another two days for the Volturi to have a 'window' in their schedule to accommodate us. Had he been anybody else he would have been tried and sentenced by now." I raged.
"Why do we have to placate them anyway?" Mal asked.
"Because we must." I growled.
"Then what will you do?" Mal asked softly.
"I must wait it out." I said savagely. "But I can not do it sitting still, or even partaking in fun activities when I know that time is dragging on toward the inevitable."
"Do you want to go somewhere away from here?" He asked.
"I must clean." I stated and I left my room, heading up to the roof. "The house from top to bottom." I added as I opened the little cupboard that contained the tools I would need for cleaning the roof.
"Can I help?" Mal asked.
"I must clean the roof." I murmured as I began inspecting the roof to know where to begin.
"Liza, let me help you." Mal said firmly as he placed his hands to my arms and looked into my eyes.
"I must clean." I insisted and pulled away from him so I could begin my task.
"Liza…"
"Mal." Mother said gently. "Believe me, just let her clean."
"But she's in a trance or something." Mal's voice seemed to drift to me from the distance now, as if he were discussing someone else.
"She's upset about this whole business with Alec. She's like Tobias when she gets upset. She has to clean and you can't help, only get in the way. The best thing to do is get out of her way and wait for her to get the cleaning out of her system, then she'll come to you with whatever problem she has."
"But?"
"Come on Mal. We have a few things to discuss anyway, and Billie is begging for you to put on another show for her."
I could feel Mal's longing to stay, and I longed to turn to him and fulfil that longing, but it was beyond my ability. I had to clean, beginning with the roof and I could spare a thought for nobody as I began to clear out the gutters.
By lunch time the roof was up to standard and other than a few tasks I wouldn't attempt for they required a professional I was finished on the roof. I could therefore allow myself some lunch. I made my way down to the kitchen to find that Mal and Billie were there preparing salad.
"Liza, we made you lunch." Billie declared when she saw me. "It's a leafy salad and tuna pasta."
"Sounds delicious." I observed with a smile before I went to wash my hands at the basin.
"He showed me how to make a rose from tomato skin look." She said and she held up a tomato skin rose to me.
"That is very clever." I observed.
"Yes. He let me make this one, but he wouldn't let me cut the skin myself. He said I'm too young to touch the sharp knife."
"And I would have to agree." I stated.
"I know." Billie said. "Daddy told me what I can do in the kitchen and what I can't until I'm older."
"If you listen to Father's advice you will not go wrong." I stated as I lifted her up and carried her back over to the worktop where Mal was busy preparing lunch. "I am sorry for earlier." I stated.
"I understand." Mal replied with a smile. "And I'll psycho analyse it for you later if you like." He added with a wink.
"How much will the session cost Doctor Llewellyn?" I teased.
"Oh, the first consultation is free." Mal stated and I giggled.
"Are you a doctor like Carlisle?" Billie asked Mal.
"We were playing make believe." Mal replied.
"Can I be a doctor too?" She asked.
"Doctor Billie, I see you've prepared a healthy lunch. Would you care to tell us the ingredients you used?" I asked.
Billie laughed before she informed me of everything she and Mal had put in the dish. She was finishing her commentary when Mother entered the kitchen.
"Are you ok now Lamb?" She asked.
"For the time being." I stated.
Mother watched me carefully, before she embraced both Billie and me for I still held her in my arms. Mother kissed my head and I returned her embrace, as did Billie although she was unsure of the significance of it.
I just get worried when my kids are hurting. Mother thought toward me.
I know Mother. And I am sorry; I did not mean to worry you. I am merely restless to have to wait two more days until Alec is dealt with. I explained.
I know. I can't believe Aro is holding the trial on the solstice. Tobias told me that's never been done as far as he knows. You might have an execution on a solstice or big celebration, but never a trial. Mother stated.
That ploy was to flatfoot Jane, but all it serves is to prolong our agony before we're finally rid of Alec. I said sadly.
I pulled away from Mother and handed Billie to her.
"How many of us are there for lunch?" I asked in order to change the subject.
"Seven." Mother replied. "Your grandparents are joining us. Jake's finally accepted that Alec ain't going anywhere."
"He's been guarding him?" I asked in surprise at both the fact that he was doing so and the fact I had not wondered where my grandparents were upon returning to Tregarran.
"Pacing the corridor leading to the cellar, just in case someone tried to sneak in to rescue him." Mother replied. "Mom stayed there to keep him company."
"Have they been sleeping?" I asked in worry.
"Sporadically." Mother replied. "Hopefully they'll get a full nine hours tonight."
"Not until Alec is dead." Grandpa Jake declared as he entered the kitchen.
"But he won't be on trial for another two days yet." Granny Ness complained. "There are others who can guard the cellar passage you know. Vampires who don't need sleep."
"Yeah, but this way I know the job's done properly." Grandpa Jake replied.
"I could just Alpha him into staying put and not using his power on anyone." Mother stated.
"He got around your edict once, he might do it again." Jake replied.
"Not if I am there beside Mother." I said firmly and I took Mother's hand and tried to determine how my power worked and whether I could do it consciously and enhance Mother's ability ten fold.
"He got round my edict because I was stupid enough to leave a social loophole. There were a few Volturi I got along with, so I didn't want to cut them off completely, especially if they ever wanted to defect. That's how Alec could get close to Liza, because it wasn't Volturi business. It was personal." Mother stated and as I continued to hold her hand I could feel the telepathy I thought only possible with Tony begin to stutter in my mind.
I gasped and pulled my hand from Mother and looked nervously toward Mal for I did not wish to have sudden telepathy and read his mind.
"I think I will set the dining room table for lunch." I stated.
"I'll come help you." Mal stated since Father had entered the kitchen and was now preparing lunch with Billie.
I nodded and we left the kitchen and made our way to the dining room.
"Ok, spill." He said.
"Excuse me?" I asked in affront for I was unsure of what he wished me to divulge.
"Why did you pull your hand away from Essie?" He asked.
"Because I have discovered a new dimension to my powers and I want to be sure before I declare it." I replied, thankful it was this he was inquiring after and nothing else.
"What new dimension?" I asked.
"I will inform you after lunch." I promised.
"So no more cleaning binges?"
"I intend to clean out the attics this afternoon, but I will not be so rude to company." I replied. "This morning I needed space to think, but this afternoon I will talk."
"Ok." Mal said with a smile and I returned it.
Mother and Billie entered the room ready to receive the food that Father was loading into the dumbwaiter and Mal and I went to help. We ate our lunch and Father insisted on doing the dishes. Without that task to appease my need to clean I went up to the attics to begin organising the rooms.
Mal came with me, but I was in no mood to talk of earlier, I merely wished to clean while I tried not to think of what lay ahead concerning Alec. I have no idea why I choose this specific room in the attic, but here they were, my childhood possessions stored away for posterity along with those belonging to Tony. This room was not in need of organising in so much as it needed airing. All of our clothing that had become too small so quickly in our brief years as children. We should have given the clothes to goodwill, but our family had hoarded everything as mementos for when Mother and Father returned. Attached to almost every garment was a picture of Tony or myself wearing said garment.
"Shall I psycho analyse you now?" Mal asked sitting down on an old chest as I opened another and started pulling out the dresses contained within.
"Can we speak of things that do not concern my current state of mind or that person whom we shall refer to as the accused for Jane's sake?" I requested.
"Then what shall we talk about?" He asked as he came to sit beside me and started examining the dresses.
"How about you?" I stated. "You barely tell me anything of yourself."
"There's not much to know." He said in a guarded manner.
"Let us begin with something human shall we? Did you have any childhood pets?" I asked, thinking it a simple question.
"Well there was Sheba." Mal said with a slight smile as he began looking through the dresses and more specifically the Polaroid photos attached to each one.
"She was your sheep dog." I stated as I recalled something I'd heard of old.
"Yeah. She was the closest thing I had to a friend. But she couldn't come to Cornwall with me because she didn't travel well. Mam and Dad had already left her with Mrs Jones, and then the Volturi came and I didn't see her again for years. By that time I was fully-grown and she was a proper working sheep dog. She won a lot of trials and was the mother of champions, but I missed playing hide and seek in the tall ferns." He finished sadly.
I put my hand on his and looked up into his eyes in sympathy, wishing that I hadn't touched upon the subject since it had made him so sad. He looked back down at me for a long moment, before he cleared his throat and looked away.
"So, did you have any pets?" He asked.
"No, unless you wish to count Tony." I quipped.
Mal chuckled, "You can't say that about your brother."
"I can, and I just did." I replied and poked out my tongue.
"That's very mature." Mal observed and I shrugged with a grin.
"Now tell me Mal bach, if you took me to your home right now, what would you show me first?"
Mal gave me a thoughtful look and I wished for a moment that I could read his thoughts, to think I had passed by on the opportunity earlier? Now I wished to know what his first thought was for despite the fact I could not read his mind, I could see that he did not give me the first thing that came to mind. He was editing himself.
"I would take you up onto the common." He stated, "To one of the higher points where we can look out over the moor land dotted with sheep and cows and almost wild ponies. To look out over the valley dotted with villages, windows in the distance glowing gold as they catch the last of the day's light. There's not much sound up here because of the ceaselessness of the wind, blowing around you, sighing in your ears." Mal's hand had come to cup my cheek while he was talking and now his thumb caressed my ear gently. "It's desolate and lonely, at least it sounds that way, but there's just something about being up there that fills you with something indescribable. It's bliss when you're alone, but it promises to be something more if you bring the right person to share it with."
"And you would share that with me?" I asked.
"Only you." He replied and I felt myself shiver in delight.
Then Mal seemed to realise what he was saying and cleared his throat once more, pulling away.
"Now I get to ask a question." He stated. "How come in all these photos you're making a weird face?"
"I am not making a weird face." I snapped.
"Yeah you are. It's kind of a scowl but not quite." He observed, moving a Polaroid this way and that as he attempted to emulate the expression. "I thought you would have liked having a fashion parade."
"If I am honest it is because I found photos rather boring. I preferred it when Aunt Alice used the video camera and I could act, darling." I said as I rose to my feet and moved into a few dramatic poses. "I suppose I have always had a flare for the dramatic." I added as I applied a few ballet steps before bowing to him.
"Now why doesn't that surprise me?" Mal asked as he rose to his own feet. "You're still a little diva."
"I am not as bad as I used to be." I stated, placing my hands on my hips.
"Is that a fact?" He asked.
"Yes." I said not becoming angered for I was enjoying this teasing immensely; it was playful, close to flirtatious. I was enamoured.
"How bad were you before? Oh no! A speck of dirt! I will surely die!" He gasped, and mugged like a bad Shakespearean actor as he crossed the floor.
"Oh I bet you are not dramatic in the least." I replied with a grin. "Look at me, I am Malachite the Magnificent, watch me move mountains with nothing but my mind."
"Now let's get one thing straight." Mal said in serious tones. "I can move way more than mountains. I can move the stars me." He added with a grin.
"So I have noticed." I remarked as I locked on to his eyes, and I was moving closer. "Of course, you know, I enhance powers."
"So I've heard." Mal said as he too stepped closer.
"I can help you move even greater things." I whispered as I reached up as far as I could in order to pull him down to my eye level.
"Such as?" Mal asked, stepping back instead.
"The earth." I stated before I could stop myself.
"But stars are bigger than the…oh…" He trailed off and suddenly he fell over as he came up short against the entrance to a cushion fort I had built a long time ago.
"You are clumsy for a dhampir." I said with a giggle as I offered him my hand to help him up.
"I've never really been clumsy." He said as he took my hand. "You just seem to destabilise me. It's almost like you want me on my back or something."
I let go of his hand and he was now a little shorter than me as he sat on the old sofa cushion that acted as flooring in my comfy little fort.
"If you were as short as I, you would want to try and even the playing field now and then." I said and kissed his forehead, as he often did to me being so much taller.
I had meant to kiss his forehead, but in that instant Mal lifted his chin in order to speak to me, and our lips met. We pulled apart for a brief second, looking into each others eyes, then I closed mine and pressed my lips to his once more almost expecting him to pull away, but instead he was pulling me closer, with him as he went deeper into the fort.
He settled with his back against the cushion wall and pulled his head back slightly, his hand lingering on my cheek as our breaths mingled.
"Is this really what you want?" He asked, his lips so close to mine they brushed when he spoke.
"Yes." I breathed, and pressed my lips to his.
"But shouldn't we talk first?" He asked, but I was done with forward planning, I wished to seize this moment and be with my Mal as I should be.
"Kiss now, talk later." I instructed as I ran my fingers in his hair.
"Liza, I…" But he trailed off when I ran my tongue gently across his lower lip.
His lips parted and then we were kissing in a manner that could not be written off as platonic. It was divine intoxication, being allowed to run my fingers through his hair, to trace his body as his fingers traced mine. It was everything I had imagined and more. I pressed closer to Mal, my body melting against his as he embraced me. Then he moved me gently, to cradle my head against his shoulder where I had no hope of kissing him but I was still afforded contact, and I could still trace his chest and run my fingers in his hair.
"I need to know where this is going before we go further." He stated.
"Wherever you would like it to go." I replied.
"Elizabeth Black, please give me a straight answer." Mal said sternly.
"I like hugging you." I stated and I hugged him dearly as I worked toward the moment I would lay myself bare to Mal.
Before I could elaborate further I had to pull away from Mal and make room between us. A moment later the door burst open and little feet sounded on the bare wood floor. Then Billie poked her head into the space.
"Is this your fort?" She asked as she crawled inside. "It's better than mine. Mine is just a box Tony got from work. He is fixing his old one out in the trees for me, but it's not ready yet. But I could use this one when it's raining."
"If that is what you desire." I replied with a smile.
"It's all cosy in here and the cushions are comfy. This could be my reading spot." Billie continued.
"It is a great place to read." I stated.
"Is this a good reading spot Mal?"
"I think it is." Mal replied as he watched me carefully. "If you'll excuse me I have to get some air."
Billie scrambled into the gap between the cushions and myself to allow Mal to crawl through the hole. She waited a moment until she was sure he was out of the door then leapt into his spot.
"I will trick him when he comes back." She stated. "He will think there isn't room and it will be funny."
"Immensely funny Sister." I agreed, before I tickled her stomach and she giggled.
"It's really comfy here." She observed as she lay down. "I could have my nap here." She added with a yawn.
"Are you due for your nap?" I asked.
"It's after lunch time." She stated. "I always nap after lunch."
"Very well, but we should check with Mother first so that she knows where you are in case she wishes to take you elsewhere for your nap." I said as I made to stand up.
"Mommy will hear you if you think toward her." Billie informed me.
"Of course." I replied with a smile.
I closed my eyes and concentrated my mind.
Mother, can you hear me?
Hey Lamb, what's up? Mother replied instantly.
Billie said it is time for her nap and she wishes to take it up in the attic. I explained. Is she allowed to do so?
Where to in the attic? Mother asked.
I showed our location to Mother.
Ok. But don't let her sleep longer than an hour or she won't sleep tonight.
Understood. I replied, before turning my attention back to Billie.
"Mother said that you may have your nap here, but I'm to wake you in an hour." I informed her.
Billie nodded and lay back on the cushions. She sat up.
"You have to lie down too." She stated as she took my hand and pulled me over to her.
I lay down and she smiled before she snuggled into my shoulder, lying in the crook of my arm. Some of my curls had tumbled over my shoulder and her wrapped her fingers in them, twisting the hair between her fingers.
"Could you make my hair curly?" She asked.
"If that is what you desire." I replied.
Billie nodded, and then she yawned widely. I yawned too although I didn't feel tired. I watched Billie as she drifted to sleep. Soon her breathing was even and her hand went slack in my hair as sleep took her. With her soft breath on my skin, her scent so clean and her reassuring warmth in my arms I found my mind wandering, to imagining that I had my own baby. This was a first for me, well a first since I had been old enough to know the chore babies could be, but now I imagined a babe of my own, and in the colour of her hair and the brightness of her green eyes I knew there was only one person her father could be.
I wondered if the picture I now had in my head was similar to what Dove had imagined when she claimed to see the children of Mal and I. I felt the sudden urge to contact her and compare notes on the subject. I was glad I was in no position to act on that impulse for I did not wish my longing to be known if it remained unreciprocated by the time we returned to college in January. I would only inform Dove of my true feelings for Mal when we were dating.
Oh my! How delightful that I was now thinking in terms of 'when' whilst thinking of Mal and I as a couple as opposed to 'if'. I had never felt such certainty in my mind, such hope, and such pure optimism. I knew that Mal and I would be together, one day, perhaps not today, but someday soon we would have that open and frank discussion and we would be one.
Although I knew it would not be by the time we returned to college. I realised that once I had declared my feelings to Mal and he had responded, confirming that he felt exactly the same then I wished to give myself to him completely. I wished to make love for the first time, but that would be impossible here in Tregarran with so many sensitive ears, not to mention the sensitive minds.
Dear god what had I been thinking propositioning him today? I had been willing to go further than making out with Mal, what if Billie had chosen to walk in at a later instance? That would have been truly terrible indeed. It was clear now that I would have to distance myself from Mal until we were back at Riverside, preferably at his cabin, but possibly the first Saturday when I stay in his room. I will tell him of my feelings and invite him to join me in pleasure.
I knew I was not stalling this time, placing my sight on a later date in order to avoid intimacy with anybody in my life, ever. I was being realistic because it would be torture to finally confirm my feelings for Mal and to receive them in return and then not be able to act immediately upon them. One could argue that Mal and I could slip away to a hotel for a night, but I would rather somewhere more homely than a hotel room, regardless of its expense, when I take that step with Mal. Besides, it would be rude to do such a thing after the trouble everyone went to in order to save me from Alec.
Besides, as I thought of it more I couldn't help but picture the consummation of our love taking place at Mal's cabin. That little space he'd made for himself, a sanctuary away from the world, yet he'd been kind enough to invite me there. I was wrong not to have read more into it, he had invited me into his life and in my fear of being made to look a fool I had been blind to his subtle hints. How ironic, in my attempt not to appear foolish I had been a fool.
I suppressed my laugh for only half hour had passed by and Billie was still fast asleep in the crook of my arm. It had been half an hour; Mal was an awful long time for catching a breath of fresh air. Perhaps Mother had delayed him, or Alex who was at a loose end now the other wolves had departed. He spent a lot of time running out as a wolf, but it wasn't something he could do indefinitely. There were a lot of things that might delay Mal, and I would not allow myself to make a mountain out of a molehill.
Perhaps it was providence that Mal chose that moment to enter the attic. I heard his footfalls before he poked his head in through the hole. He was smiling but then he froze.
"Sorry." He mouthed.
"She's fast asleep." I whispered. "She won't wake for half hour yet."
"Well there's not much room, I'll go up on the roof and wait."
"I'll come to you once Billie awakens." I promised.
"See you in a bit." Mal said with a smile, and then ducked back out of the hole.
I settled back down beside Billie and smiled at the thought of speaking with Mal. We might not declare our feelings today but I would allow him to know that I will expect it soon. I would let him know that it is not that I don't want to be with him, but that I want him fully and the chance to experience that when we finally make that pledge.
I did not have to wake Billie after an hour, for with ten minuets to go Mother entered the attic. She put her head into the hole and smiled.
"My two girls." She whispered, reaching in to stroke Billie's cheek and then mine. "I've missed you Lamb."
"I missed you too Mother." I murmured, suddenly feeling teary.
Mother climbed into the little den and I held Billie up for a moment as Mother settled in on the other side of her.
Please don't ever not talk to me again. She thought toward me as she took my hand firmly.
I will never do anything so foolish again. I replied. I was wrong to feel so put out.
I should have listened to what you were really saying. Mother remarked.
I should have made views clearer. I should have explained myself rather than act a brat and merely run away. I countered.
I didn't want to exclude you.
I know that now. I stated. But at the time it all seemed so rushed. But now that Billie is here and I have met her I would not change things, except perhaps my behaviour upon learning of your desire. Had I but thought we could have kept up a constant correspondence during that time. I need not have been out of the loop.
No. And when you go back to Riverside we'll talk everyday, and I mean properly like Skype or whatever so I can see that you're ok. And why the hell didn't you tell me when that jerk tried to force you? Mother demanded.
I'm sorry. I said feeling ashamed.
Liza, you're my baby, I want you to be able to come to me with anything in your life. And something as serious as that you should have told me, even if you were angry with me, or thought I was angry at you, you should have known you could tell me. Mother stated in a reproachful yet soothing tone.
I was embarrassed for putting myself in such a position with my excessive drinking. There was much worse that could have happened had Mal not been there watching out for me. I behaved like such an idiot during that first month you would not believe. I admitted shamefully.
You were embarrassed? Mother asked in disbelief. Liza, you're a teenager, and a student, that goes hand in hand with acting stupid and partying the night away. If it wasn't for the fact that I had such a bad experience on my first time drinking, and I hadn't been stuck in Volterra, I know I would have partied like there was no tomorrow. My point is that you should be able to live to excess without worrying some jerk is gonna come and take advantage. You're young, this is the only chance you get to act stupid and irresponsible and I won't let you lose that ability to be reckless because of a rapist.
But I can have a good time without going to extremes. I stated.
But why shouldn't you be allowed to let go? Mother asked. That's what being young is about.
I will endeavour to have fun Mother, but I will not do so in a way that compromises my safety.
Well as long as you have fun Lamb. Mother said with a smile and she pulled my hand to her and kissed it. Now I think I've kept you long enough, someone up on the roof wants to talk to you.
I know Mal is there; he informed me that he would be waiting.
Then why are you hanging around here with your daft old mother? Go talk to him. It felt a little weird at first because of how I viewed him in Volterra, but Mal is a good kid and from what I can tell he has your best interest at heart. Whatever you plan to make him in your life…well just keep him in your life.
I looked at Mother, wondering what she had read.
Stop worrying what everyone else thinks and just do things your way. As long as you're happy I don't care. Mother said firmly as she gave me focused look.
I could do nothing but nod my head.
Now go talk to him.
I nodded once more, and then carefully released my arm from beneath Billie as Mother pulled her close. I scrambled over both of them and out through the hole. I exited the room and thought on Mother's words. As I climbed the stairs I realised that despite her blessing, I still did not wish to do anything with my parents in earshot. I would still wait until our return, if that was something Mal wished to do. My only hope was to state my intentions.
Mal was on the roof, just as he had informed me. He was looking out over the forest to the mountains beyond. I approached him but stopped a metre from him.
"Malachite." I said softly and he turned to look at me, his face was guarded and I realised it was because I had used his first name, something I only did when I was being formal with him. "I have come to apologise." I added in a whisper as I moved closer to him. "It was wrong of me to behave as I did, especially given our surroundings. It is hardly the most adequate place for us to partake in anything my parents may not approve of."
"You don't have to apologise." Mal stated. "I didn't exactly push you away."
"I know." I said with a smile, since it was only then that I knew from where my optimism had been bourn. "But still, I apologise for this is hardly the right place. I stand by my earlier suggestion that we will discuss matters once we are back in Riverside."
"What matters would they be?" Mal asked in a slightly hopeful tone.
"All matters concerning us. That is all I will say on the subject for now because of what I hope will follow our discussion." I said with a smile I hoped conveyed what I meant.
"So what you're saying is that when we get back to Riverside we're gonna talk about us, but until then we're just friends. Because you think I'll feel uncomfortable being anything more in front of your family." He surmised.
"No. I wish to stay merely friends whilst we are here for when we go beyond the point of friendship I wish to embrace what that means fully, and that is something I would feel uncomfortable doing under my parents' roof. Especially with every chance we may be interrupted." I clarified.
"Cause that won't happen at college." Mal remarked.
"There is always the option of your cabin." I stated. "We could arrive a few days early and spend time hiking before the new term begins."
"It doesn't hurt to be careful." Mal conceded. "Even if we return there to hike again when we're meant to."
"If we wished to be truly cautious perhaps we could go every fortnight, when you have no Saturday lessons." I suggested.
"I don't see why we couldn't go that often, but we need to discuss every eventuality first." He replied.
"Of course." I agreed.
"But until that time we're just friends." Mal said, holding out his hand.
"Friends." I agreed as I shook his hand firmly and pushed down the wistful longing to pull him to me and kiss him again. "And in light of this I think that it may be for the best that I make you up a room for the duration of your stay."
"Of course. We were only sharing because there wasn't any room, but now the wolves have gone home there's no need for us to be all cramped in that one room."
"Exactly." I stated. "Come. I will show you to your room." I stated as I let go his hand and turned from him.
Mal followed me down the north staircase to the first floor and I led him to the room next to my own. I knocked just in case and then opened it. The bed was not made and it was devoid of any personal touches, which was a good indicator that the room was unoccupied.
"We should go and inform Father that you plan to take this room and then gather everything necessary to dress it in order to make it more comfortable for you."
Father was in the pool with Mother and Billie. We had to make our conversation brief for Billie wished for Mal and I to join them in the pool. In the end Father told her to behave herself for Mal and I had chores to attend to and we would swim with her another day.
Father informed us of what bedding to use and he did not question our sudden desire for separate rooms, although I was sure he was curious. I wondered if he would inquire about it later, but for now Billie was too demanding, and I was thankful not to have to go into detail just yet. Besides, Mal and I had much to do to make ready the room for him.
There were several linen closets located about the house, the one that contained the spare guest bedding was in the laundry room. I decided to kill two birds with one stone. It required returning to the first floor, but this way my bedding could be set to wash whilst I make Mal's bed.
Mal decided he would head down to the laundry room ahead of me to look through the selection of bedding. That way he could decide what he liked and I could tell him whether he could use it when I reached the laundry room. We parted in the library and I ghosted up the backstairs while Mal descended them. I went to my room and quickly stripped the bed before I developed the wistful longing to keep them from the wash in order to retain Mal's scent. Until we were back at Riverside we were merely friends.
When I arrived at the laundry room via the back stairs Mal was pulling out a dark quilt cover. I loaded my bedding into the machine and began the cycle. I then went to help Mal, not that there was much I could do given the fact that he was taller than me. Instead I informed him where best to pick out the sheet and the pillowcases. I could take out the towels myself, favouring the dark green since they matched the linen Mal had chosen to use.
We carried them up to what I would now think of as his room and we entered. I insisted on making the bed, after all Mal was the guest and it was only right that I should do so. We compromised with him taking the towels to arrange in the bathroom.
When he emerged a thought occurred to me.
"You have no toiletries and there are none in there." I stated.
"I have my toothbrush." He observed with a shrug.
"I care not, you need other things such as shampoo. Perhaps we can pop to the store to pick up anything you may need. I will ask Father if there is anything we can buy for him."
"You'll ask Tobias?"
"Yes. Mother and Father came to an agreement that he would see to the shopping list because Mother finds such things a bore."
"Yeah, that makes sense." Mal observed with a laugh. "Essie never did like shopping. Going into the market was just an excuse to get out of the castle or I bet she wouldn't have done that either."
"Shopping is not Mother's idea of fun." I stated. "Although she will indulge me now and then for the sake of little girlie bonding."
"And what do you do that you don't particularly like but Essie does?" Mal asked.
I had to think before I answered that question.
"Come to think of it there is not much that Mother likes that I don't have some interest in myself. She likes running barefoot in the woods, as do I. She enjoys fixing and talking cars, something I myself am partial to."
"You're an autophile?" Mal asked in disbelief.
"Do you honestly doubt me Malachite Llewellyn?" I demanded.
"I just can't picture you getting your hands all oily fixing up a car." He said with a frown.
"As hard as it is to imagine me running barefoot through the woods with my hair wild and free?" I asked.
"Ok. Point taken." Mal said with a smile.
"Now I should go check on my bedding, perhaps you could use the time to retrieve your belongings and transport them to your room."
"Ok." Mal said still smiling, but he did not look as happy.
I nodded my head and left his room, ghosting to the back stairs for the corridor was next to his room. I trailed through the empty kitchen and into the laundry room where the cycle was coming to an end. I transferred my bedding to the dryer and returned to my room. Mal was not present and so I decided to tidy about my room, to put everything back into perfect order.
When I was sure my bedding was dry I went back down to the laundry to collect it. Father was already removing it and folding it neatly.
"Thank you Father." I stated.
"They were dry, I could not leave them." He stated before turning to me.
"Yes." I agreed.
"Vela, why have you put Mal in a separate room?" He asked outright.
"Would you prefer I have him in my bed when there is no longer need? After all there is ample room now the wolves have returned." I replied in what was clearly a defensive manner.
"Then why wait until today?" He countered.
"It did not occur to me yesterday that none of the vampires are using the rooms. They're all stationed at various points, guarding Alec. That was something I did not realise yesterday."
"Or perhaps it was something you wished to ignore." Father said with a level look. "I know you are fond of each other and it is not our place to stand in your way."
"Nothing will take place under your roof until there has been an appropriate length of time." I stated, feeling I aught to say something.
"Do you think we would disapprove?" Father asked, sounding shocked at the assumption.
"There are too many sensitive ears." I said as cryptically as I could.
"Yes. Of course." Father replied since he had often taken short vacations with Mother for this very reason.
"For the time being some distance is what is needed to avoid temptation." He said as he watched for my reaction.
"In that case I can not fault you Vela, but may I suggest that you can tell him your feelings and merely take things slowly."
"I do not wish for them to go slowly. I want to grab every opportunity I can and I will settle for nothing else. I wish it to be all or nothing." I said in a manner that was possibly true truthful in front of my father.
"I think you may live to regret that decision." Father said in a low voice. "Take it from me Vela, you should not wait to tell someone how you truly feel. Who knows what tomorrow may bring?"
"It is but two weeks until college reconvenes, what could possibly happen in that time?"
"Nothing I am sure." Father said with a smile as he kissed my head. "Now you'd best go make your bed."
"Yes Father."
"Dinner will be served in an hour, Tony and Grace will be dining with us." He stated.
"Then there will be no time to go to the store beforehand." I observed.
"It depends on what you were hoping to buy."
"Toiletries and such for Mal. There is nothing in the guest room." I explained.
"I can lend him a few items until tomorrow. Will it not be a task more suited to your distraction during daylight hours?"
"Yes." I agreed. "Perhaps Billie would care to come for a ride."
"If Mother has no plans tomorrow."
I nodded and left the laundry room. I made up my bed then went to inform Mal that it was not long before dinner was served and we would have to hold off on our shopping plans until the next day.
"That's ok." Mal said with a shrug. "We need to talk anyway."
"About what?" I asked with dread, as I feared he would start discussing us.
"You never did tell me what you discovered about your powers."
"Right. That new aspect." I said, attempting to hide my relief as I sat on the desk chair. "I think that I gain Tony's power through my own ability, not because I am his twin."
"Right." Mal said, fully willing to accept my suggestion.
"Not to its full extent, merely an aspect of it." I clarified.
"And that's why you let Essie's hand go?" Mal asked.
"I wished not to start reading minds when I was unprepared for it." I replied.
"I guess that would make me wary too." Mal conceded. "But then Essie's powers are the same as Tony's and you have that familial link with her cause she's your Mother and you were linked with her before you were born, just like with Tony."
"That would explain why I can read minds whilst holding Mother's hand, but that does not explain why I can see the connections of the Universe when I hold your hand and you apply your powers." I stated.
"You can?" He asked looking shocked.
"Yes. I understand how you can use your power by applying movement here to create it over there. I can now understand what you meant by moving something big can be easier than doing something fiddly. I know why you could see in the dark and how you saw between the connections in order to move us through solid rock. From your special view nothing is truly solid. It was interesting."
"I wonder if you could move something." Mal mused.
"I'm not sure it works in that way. I do not take on the power completely, merely an aspect of it."
"So you see how I see and you're not so much reading minds as getting a feed through Essie or Tony." Mal hazarded.
I thought on this for a moment.
"Possibly." I stated. "I will have to experiment some more, that is needless to say, because at the moment I am at a loss to how this may work, merely that I have this aspect to my power. I am only now acknowledging I have an ability, never mind how many facets it may have."
"Are you looking forward to finding out?"
"Yes." I said with a smile.
"Do you want to see if you can move something?" Mal asked, holding out his hand.
"Not today." I stated, knowing that if I did something so intimate as to hold his hand in this moment I wouldn't be able to stop myself from taking it further. "We should prepare for dinner."
I left Mal's room and went to my own in order to dress for dinner.
I felt when Tony arrived and I smiled that I was able to sense him for it had pained me the day before when I hadn't sensed him leave. I felt buoyant, and it was in this mood that I flittered down the stairs to greet Tony and Grace as they entered via the kitchen.
"Tony, Grace." I sang as I hugged them, ignoring Father's dark look that we were messing around in the kitchen. "It is good to see you both."
"Yeah. Maybe we should move this upstairs before Dad has a heart attack." Tony observed as he tapped my back.
"Of course." I replied and we moved to the back stairs in order to enter the library.
"Where's Mal?" Tony asked.
"In his room preparing for dinner I shouldn't wonder." I replied as I sat down on a chair.
"Shouldn't you be seeing to his needs?" Tony asked as he and Grace took the love seat opposite.
"We are not an item." I declared. "He may do as he pleases."
"I meant because he's your guest, shouldn't you make sure he gets down to dinner ok?"
"He knows the way." I replied.
"Isn't that a little rude?" Tony asked. "That's not like you at all."
"Perhaps you are right." I conceded. "I was merely excited that you had arrived. I will go see Mal down to dinner."
I left the library and flittered up the main staircase and knocked on Mal's door. He emerged and smiled at me.
"Are you ready to descend for dinner?" I asked.
"Yeah."
"Then come." I replied and led the way down the main stairs once more.
"Liza, wait." Mal said.
"Yes?" I asked, turning to look up at him, which was quite a way now I was down two stairs from him.
"What's with you being suddenly abrupt?" He asked. "I thought we were friends."
"I'm sorry." I replied. "I was caught in a momentary flummox. Tony pointed out that it was rude for me not to escort you down stairs and now I am making matters worse."
"Ok." Mal said thoughtfully as he walked down passed me and stopped four treads down and now he was level with me. "It's got weird hasn't it?"
"Weird?" I asked.
"We kissed and now you're backtracking because you want to make our boundaries explicitly clear. But you've gone too far the other way now. You wouldn't treat a friend this way would you?"
"No." I admitted.
"Then take a deep breath and stop worrying. We were able to keep on the strictly friends path before. There was the odd bump that knocked us into the direction of the Couple's Ville turnoff, but we always steered back straight. You're the one who wants to hold off for now and just be friends, and I'm happy to wait as long as you want. But not if you're going to be mean to me." He stated.
"Am I being mean?" I asked with concern.
"Ok. So maybe not mean. You're being abrupt, and that's not you."
"I'm sorry." I said as I dropped my head in shame.
"Is that your coping mechanism?" Mal asked. "When there's something you can't deal with you push it away in an attempt to ignore it?"
"I thought we were not going to analyse me." I protested.
"Fine. Just stop acting weird and go back to the Liza I know and l…and like." He said, correcting himself and it gave more away of what his feelings were than had he used the common phrase.
"Very well." I stated as I moved down to his step. "Mal, would you like to attend dinner?"
"I'd be delighted." He said, taking my hand and I led him down the steps, glancing at him once in a while.
I managed to get through the rest of the evening treating Mal as I always had and not letting slip of greater affection. I had found the right balancing point and I hoped I could remain there for the rest of the Holidays.
The nearest I came to giving up on my determination was at night when I lay in bed alone. It felt strange not having Mal there beside me. I found myself wishing I had not washed my sheets so that I still had his scent at least. That thought was utter madness and I pushed it away for fear of what it would make me do.
I held fast in my bed and finally I drifted to sleep, only to be woken by the sound of somebody knocking my door. I climbed out of bed, pulled on my dressing gown and went to answer it.
"Rise and shine sleepy head." Billie sang. "Mommy said we're going shopping today."
"Yes we are." I stated as I stifled a yawn. "Once I am dressed and have had breakfast."
Billie nodded.
"I will wake Mal ready and we can leave early. The shops are busy at this time of year because everyone is buying presents." She informed me.
"We're not going present shopping." I stated.
Billie shrugged.
"I will go and wake Mal." She said.
"And I will go and shower." I stated.
"Ok. See you. Don't be gone long."
"I will be prompt, I promise you."
Billie laughed and walked away from my door. I shut my door and went to choose my clothing for the day and then went to shower. As I showered I realised that I was yet to purchase gifts for anyone and perhaps it would not be too much of a detour should we look for gifts too. I'm sure Mal would like the chance to buy gifts and as the older sibling should I not ensure that Billie buys a gift for Mother and Father. What if Tony had already seen to it? I should check with him.
When I emerged from the shower I looked at the clock and noted it was only then seven o'clock. I should have checked before sending Billie to wake Mal. It was too late to rectify the matter now, but it did mean I had time to dry my hair before I went to collect Tony from work. I'd decided on this for it would give us a better chance to talk without being overheard.
Once my hair was dried I went to inform Mal of my plan. He had no qualms with it, or with the fact Billie had roused him so early. I bid him farewell for the time being then informed Mother that I wished to pop out for five minuets before I took Billie out to the big store.
Mother said she would keep Billie in the kitchen preparing breakfast if I would like to sneak out to the garage via the ground floor steps. This is what I did and I was soon on the road heading into Olympic Pines without having disturbed Billie.
I located the General Store from memory. I had not visited since Bob had become the proprietor, but it had been a source of ice cold drinks for my friends and I when we attended Olympic High. There was a small lot across the street from the store; it was here that I parked before I crossed the street to the store.
I opened the door, greeted by the old familiar buzz and there was Tony, looking bored. When he noted my presence he straightened up and pulled an eager smile on his face. His smile faltered as he regarded me.
"Liza?" He asked in astonishment.
"Yes?" I prompted.
"What are you doing here?" He asked in shock.
"Can I not come and visit my brother at his place of employment?"
"You never have before." He observed.
"An oversight on my part." I assured him as I scanned the titles of the magazines. "I should have come sooner, Bob has improved upon the previous owners."
"Well he put a lot of effort into it." Tony stated.
"Yes." I agreed. "He has done that."
"What are you really here for Liza?" Tony asked warily.
"I have to ask you something and I thought I would provide you with a ride at the same time." I replied.
"What do you wanna ask?"
Not here where anyone can walk in Brother. I stated.
He gave me a dark look but I merely smiled.
"I really don't know what's up with you lately Sis." He observed.
"You and me both." I replied as I picked a magazine from the shelf. "Are you hungry?" I asked.
"I'll have something when I get back to the Stables." Tony stated.
"Yes." I replied. "Is there anything in particular you want for Christmas? How about Grace?"
"What is up with you? You've usually got all your gifts bought and wrapped by Halloween."
"I have been delayed in my usual habits this year." I stated. "I have to shop now."
"Bob may have a bit of everything, but I don't think you'll find anything gift worthy here." Tony said with a laugh.
"I did not intend to shop here for your gift. I thought merely to ask you in case there was anything in particular you desired."
"I got the best gift ever this year. I finally got to be with my Grace. What more could I ask for?"
"Very droll. But having one's dreams fulfilled does not stop one wishing for the odd trivial trinket given in the spirit of the season." I stated.
"Well you know what I like Liza. You also know what Grace likes, you'll pick out something great." He assured me.
"Your faith in me is welcome Brother, I will endeavour to live up to your expectations." I said with sincere thanks.
The buzzer sounded and a woman close to forty entered. She had a somewhat harassed look about her as she strode to the counter and behind it.
"God I hate this time of year. Busy, busy, busy and now Joey tells me he's in the town pageant on Wednesday. He has to be there for twelve, exactly when I start my shift. I was wondering if you'd be a sweetie and swap with me."
"You know I got the early on Wednesday." I pointed out.
"Tony honey you always got the early and I really don't mind it as long as I get to see Joey in the pageant."
"If you can clear it with Bob I'd be happy to swap with you Jess."
"You're a life saver." Jess said before turning to me. "How can I help you hun?"
"I am here to give Tony a lift home." I stated.
"Now you ain't Grace Pearson." Jess said, eyeing me speculatively.
"No. I am Liza Black, Tony's twin sister."
"Twins?" Jess asked as she looked between us.
"Have you got a problem with that?" I demanded as Tony came around the counter and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"No, not at all. It's just you're both so different, but you got the same eyes. And yeah I remember now, you were captain of the Muses for three years after Prue."
"That's right." I replied with a smile.
"Yeah, they went down hill after you left." Jess observed.
"Only for a few years, I hear Coach Tulsa has a winning team once more."
"Yeah. They're bringing in the trophies again." Jess said with a smile.
"I am glad."
"You know, they're putting on a display at the pageant, maybe you should drop by to see them."
"I will do so." I said with a smile. "But now we must go."
"Yeah."
We all exchanged goodbyes and I led Tony out to my car. He got into the passenger seat grumbling somewhat over the fact that I hadn't brought a bigger car. I ignored him as I pulled away from the store.
"The reason I came to offer you a ride home is because I wish to know if Billie has bought gifts for Mother and Father yet." I stated once we were on the road.
"How could Billie buy gifts?" Tony asked with a frown.
"Have you taken her out to buy them?" I asked, thinking it better to change my question.
"I haven't. I don't know whether Mom and Dad have, you'll have to ask them."
"Very well. How about you? Have you bought them a gift?"
"Actually no." Tony said with a frown. "I kinda forgot it's so close to Christmas to tell you the truth. I mean so much has happened lately."
"I know." I said with a sigh. "Would you like me to shop for you too?"
"No. I'll sort something with Grace."
"Very well. But if you are unable to do so, let me know and I will happily oblige."
"I'll sort it, don't worry." He assured me as I pulled into the Stables and drew to a stop. "See you at dinner?"
"Of course." I replied.
"And Liza, try and relax around Mal. The guy's not a saint, and even if he was there's only so much someone's willing to take before they start questioning why they're hanging around with someone."
"I am difficult, I know, but Mal is willing to put up with me, and for that I am grateful. He knows I am truly grateful that he can overlook the more annoying aspects of my personality."
"Then maybe he is a saint." Tony joked.
"If it were true I would not be surprised." I stated. "It must be true of anyone willing to suffer my company when they are not compelled to through being related to me."
Tony chuckled and reached back in to ruffle my hair.
"You're not that bad Sis." He stated. "And if anyone tells you differently I'll kick their ass."
"Is that a promise Brother?" I prompted playfully.
"You know it is." He said with a smile. "Now get going, you got a day of shopping ahead and I got a day of Grace."
"In all your indulging in Grace, remember that you too need to do some shopping." I stated.
"I'll remember that." Tony replied before shutting the car door and he waved to me as I drove away.
I returned to Tregarran where Father and Billie were ready to serve breakfast. It was a big one to ensure that we would be fuelled for our shopping trip. We would need the breakfast for I had decided to go to Olympia for the shops there would yield more than what was to be found in Ridgeborough.
We were on the road by ten and had reached Olympia by eleven. Billie was excited when she learned we were going to Olympia and I felt a little bad to deflate her happiness by informing her she wasn't going to school. I realised at that moment that perhaps I should have opted for Tacoma or Seattle, but I suppose Billie would have to learn that places can be big and you can go there for a myriad reasons.
Mal was also excited with Olympia for he had never been there despite all his travels. He admitted rather sheepishly that he had avoided the State of Washington out of fear of running into my family. I did wonder how he had held onto that shame for so many years. It had stopped him from being happy and he was so lonely and vulnerable. I suppose we had both learned a valuable lesson in letting a moment's mistake ruin our lives.
It was an overcast cold day, but inside the stores were warm and Billie refused to keep her coat on. She wanted to walk, and we had no pushchair for her, I did wonder if perhaps we should purchase one to keep her safe in the press of shoppers. In the end Mal lifted her up onto his shoulders and that kept her happy for about an hour as we moved between the gift-stores picking out gifts for the family.
Billie's favourite place was the toy store and she was particularly intrigued by the huge Christmas tree. It stretched three floors and was covered in glittering ornaments.
"We will have one in the house." I informed her. "And we can decorate it. We can make some too."
"Angels and stars?" She asked in awe.
"Yes, with lots of glitter."
"That would be great." Billie observed.
"We could go to the craft section and buy the things we will need." I said as I took Billie's hand and Mal took the other.
The craft section was upstairs past and area that had been set aside where children could sample some of the toys. Especially the ones that may seem affordable enough for a single pack, but one would have to buy at least ten in order to have enough to build even a fraction of what they had on display.
Billie wanted to play and I could hardly deny her for her biggest desire was to play with other children. There was a coffee bar nearby so I choose a table close to the area while Mal went to purchase us a latte each and a hot chocolate for Billie. I sat keeping my eye on her as she went up to child after child attempting to strike up a conversation. She wasn't having much luck and I was debating on trying to forge a path for her when a little boy with dark brown hair ran up to Billie and tapped her shoulder.
She turned to him and then grinned.
"Devon! You are here!" She said.
"Hello Billie." He whispered and he hugged her.
"Liza said we wouldn't see you because we weren't going to school, but you are here." She stated. "I found Lego, you want to build a castle?"
Devon nodded and Billie smiled as she took his hand and led him around to the Lego table.
"Devon?" A woman called as she entered the area, her hands full of shopping bags. "Devon what have I told you about…Oh Billie, what are you doing here?"
"Hello Devon's mommy. I am here with my sister Liza." She said, pointing toward me. "We're buying presents for all of our family."
"That must be exciting." Devon's mother replied.
"You must come meet Liza. She has just come back from school." Billie said and began leading Devon's mother over to me. "University school not playschool."
"She sounds very clever." Gillian observed.
"Yes she is. Her friend Mal is here too."
They reached the table and I rose to my feet as Devon's mother dropped some of her bags and held out her hand.
"Gloria Telford. I'm Devon's Mom. I met Billie not so long ago when your brother brought her down to the park."
"Yes. Tony mentioned it and Billie is full of stories of Devon." I replied. "And you are Devon?"
The little boy looked up at me with big dark eyes, and then looked down. I recognised the look, Tony had worn it through most of our childhood when we were among people he didn't know. I squatted so that I was on his eyelevel.
"It is perfectly fine to be shy." I said softly as I touched his cheek. "My brother was the same at your age, but he grew in confidence and now he can speak to everyone. I know grownups can be scary, but we're not really."
Devon raised his head and gave me a curious look.
"Billie was about to have hot chocolate, would you care to join us?"
Devon looked at me again, turned to Billie then looked up at his mother who nodded her head minimally. Devon smiled, and then turned back to me. He leaned close until he was near my ear and whispered, "Yes please thank you Miss Liza."
I pulled back and smiled at him before I stood and waved at the free chairs.
"Would you like to sit too Gloria? What would you like to drink? I see that Mal has yet to purchase our drinks, I can catch him in the line."
"A cappuccino would be nice." She replied, placing down the rest of her bags.
"Very well." I said, "Billie wait here with Devon I will be but a moment."
"Yes Liza." Billie replied.
I nodded then went over to Mal who was toward the front of a very long queue. I could not cut in line, but I wasn't really cutting in line.
"Hello Darling." I said as I slipped my hand into his. "This line is awfully long."
"Err…yeah. I've been waiting ages." Mal observed, picking up quickly on my game.
"Not long to go." I stated.
"No." He agreed.
"Could you order a cappuccino and another hot chocolate? Billie has guests." I stated.
"That's no problem love." Mal replied and he kissed my forehead. "Go wait with Billie and I'll bring them right over."
"Thank you my love." I replied, and returned to the table.
"Liza you have returned." Billie cooed as she sat up on a chair next to Devon.
I resumed my seat opposite Gloria.
"Mal will bring our drinks."
Gloria spoke about her work at the playschool while we waited. Billie was talking to Devon who was keeping up his half of the conversation with non-verbal answers. I wondered if he was more than merely shy, for even the head nodding stopped when Mal came to the table with a tray laden with cups.
I made introductions as Mal deposited the cups on the table and sat down. We spent half an hour conversing as we drunk our coffee. Billie and Devon decided to go and play after quarter of an hour and we watched them from our seats. Then Gloria had to leave, she was doing some Christmas shopping on the only day she'd have chance, taking advantage of the fact that the shops were open longer on the last Sunday before Christmas. Besides, she had promised to collect her older children from their grandmother's at three; Devon was with her because he wouldn't stay with anyone else.
Devon was reluctant to leave Billie's side but he obeyed his mother.
Billie returned to the table and I was expecting her to be sad, but she seemed resigned to the inevitable that people sometimes left.
"Are we going to get glitter to make angels now?" She asked.
"Of course." I replied.
We purchased the craft items from the toy store and it was almost time to return home. Our last stop was for the items this trip had been intended for in the first place, toiletries for Mal.
We were heading home around three and Billie napped in the car on the way back. I was able to wake her within the hour by the time we reached Tregarran. Billie wanted to tell Mother and Father about all she had seen and went off to find them.
Mal and I carried the gifts we had bought to my room where we spent the afternoon wrapping them. Mal was not as precise as me with wrapping and needed a small amount of reminding for he hadn't wrapped a present in years. It was a good way to spend the afternoon and I barely gave thought to Alec.
In fact it wasn't until the next morning when I awoke and realised it was the solstice that I thought of him. It was his trial today, and soon he would be no more. I felt a sense of relief that this business would soon be behind me.
This sense of relief stayed with me through the morning up to around eleven when I learned that I was not allowed to attend the trial. It was unacceptable that I should be banned from the trial. Was I not the victim here? Should I not have my say? Perhaps I could not have my say, but I knew a way I could gain access to the recreation room during the trial.
I found Fred close to the house, he was hiding in the trees, but once one knew how to find him it was simple to spot him. I found the spot my eyes did not wish to linger and walked toward it with my eyes closed. With my eyes closed I did not feel the nausea as much as I would otherwise. The scent was unappealing, but I could block that until I was within his barrier and the scent was overwhelmingly pleasant.
I opened my eyes and looked up at him with a smile.
"Good morning Fred." I said delightedly.
"Why do I have the feeling it's about to not be?" He asked.
"I wish to utilise your ability." I stated.
"I'm not gonna sneak you into the trial."
"Why not?" I demanded. "No one will notice us there."
"Apart from your mother, any other telepath, all those who know how to spot me and anyone who happens to be watching via video link. Wait a minuet that's everyone in attendance." Fred said sarcastically.
"Don't get smart with me my boy." I snapped.
"Liza, I'm like fifty years older than you." He said pointedly.
"I care not, you are making excuses. You forget that you have me." I stated as I took his hand.
"And what advantage is that?" He asked warily.
"Have you not heard? I enhance powers. I can make you invisible to everyone present." I stated.
"What about those who are watching on line?" He asked.
"We can hide behind the juice bar. I merely wish to hear the proceedings." I stated.
"I don't know." He said, but it was uncertain and I knew I had hope of swaying him now.
"I will make it worth your while." I stated.
"How?"
"I will clean for you whenever you require it of me for a year." I offered.
"I can do that myself."
"You name your price then, although I will point out now my body belongs to another." I said firmly as I realised where that could lead.
"Yeah. Jane's the only one for me." Fred said firmly as he looked at me with determination, and then he sighed. "Fine. But if Jane finds out you used some kind of wolf vamp mojo on me, ok?"
"I am not a vampire-wolf, merely a dhampir." I stated so that he would not inadvertently use this excuse and be in trouble with Jane.
"Then you got Tony to do it. Whatever! Just make something up."
"Then you will take me into the trial?"
"You'll bug me forever if I don't." Fred said as he took my hand. "Come on then power booster, work your magic."
I was still uncertain of how I enhanced people's powers. Perhaps it was simply a case of wishing it so, and that is what I attempted as I took Fred's hand and we walked together toward the house.
It was a strange sensation if truth be told, this linking with Fred and feeling the sense of being nothing but light. We flowed through the house and into the recreation room where the television had been altered into a videoconference screen. At the moment it was blank, but soon it would be a window into the Volturi court. I would not look through this window; merely eavesdrop as Fred and I settled behind the juice bar.
"I sure hope you know what you're doing." He murmured.
"Shhh. They will be here soon." I chastised.
Fred nodded his head and we waited. It was a while before people began to enter. The first scent to reach me was Jane, followed closely by Mother and Father.
"How you holding up?" Mother asked.
"Please don't ask me until this is over." Jane stated. "I'm just about holding on and I don't want to break down in front of Aro."
"Yeah." Mother replied.
"Where would you like us to stand?" Father asked quickly to alleviate the tension.
"I think I'll stand here." Jane said after a moment. "Essie, you'll be here, and Tobias here."
I followed their footsteps as they moved into position.
"Ah, Carlisle, if you'd like to stand to the left of Essie, and Marlin, glad you could make it, will you stand to the right of Tobias." Jane stated.
"What's with this formation?" Marlin asked as she moved across the room.
"It doesn't tell the Volturi anything about our ranking." Jane replied.
"Of course." Marlin remarked.
There was a sound of many feet and the room fell silent. It seemed an age before Jane finally spoke.
"The accused will be positioned here." Jane stated and there was sound of more movement. "We're in position. Now we must wait."
And wait we did for what seemed like an eternity. I felt Tony's mind brush mine at one point and I prayed that he wouldn't give me away. I had to be present at the trial. Nobody came to haul me out therefore I was in no doubt that Tony hadn't told of my whereabouts, and I felt the anticipation begin as the screen made a noise and suddenly I knew the Volturi were here.
"Greetings Lord Aro, Lord Caius and Lord Marcus." Jane said in a formal voice. "It is under a dark shadow that we come together this day. The…"
"Jane, we will spare you the pain of the ceremony." Aro said, cutting her off. "For old time's sake we will make this brief. From the evidence you have already sent we have no doubt Alec is guilty and should therefore be punished. Death is the only punishment in this instance."
"Yes lord. We will see to it immediately." Jane replied.
"Of course. But Alec is a former member and we want to ensure that the execution be carried out in the true Volturi fashion." Aro continued. "Having perused the list of those now under your command there is only one who we can trust with this task. That is you Jane Drake."
"Son of a bitch." Fred growled and I had to clamp my hand across his mouth and remind him to be quiet with a look alone.
"We will not find it satisfactory if anyone else carries this out." Aro was continuing as if he was still in charge of us all.
I looked into Fred's eyes willing him not to do anything foolish. I knew there was no possible way I could restrain him if he wished to go to Jane's defence, but that would leave him exposed to the Volturi, something Jane was completely against.
"Not even Tobias or Marlin?" Jane asked.
"No. We can not rely on them like we can you Jane." Aro said in a crooning voice.
"Of course master." Jane murmured, and Fred's eyes widened with worry.
I shook my head trying to say she did not mean it, the word slipped out through old habit.
"We do not ask that you do it now, but when you decide to end him it must be by your hand." Aro continued.
"I will see to it Lord Aro." Jane said in a resigned voice.
"Then we will bid you good day, we have the solstice celebrations to prepare for after all."
"Of course Your Lordships. May your celebrations be merry." Jane stated.
"And may yours too Jane Drake." Aro replied.
There was the sound of the screen becoming blank and a second of silence before Mother said.
"Are you ok?"
"Return the accused to the cell, I will be down shortly once I have devised a plan for his execution." Jane said firmly.
"Are you sure you don't want to hear him out first." Mother asked in careful tones as she realised she was now playing devil's advocate.
"What else is there to discuss? He broke the law, he has been sentenced. I will carry out this sentence today, sunset would seem fitting on the solstice. Take him to the cell and I will be down shortly."
There was no sound of protest from Alec as he was led away.
"You are free to go, although I would ask Essie and Tobias to remain." It was clear that everyone but Mother and Father should go.
"Fred, get out here." Jane ordered once the room was cleared.
Fred groaned and rose to his feet, drawing in his power before moving around the juice bar.
"You too Liza." Jane said firmly.
I rose to my feet too and moved around the bar to find Jane looking thunderous, Father looking a little surprised and Mother, well it was clear from he expression she had known I was there all along.
"I can understand why." Jane said. "But you could have gotten yourselves into so much trouble if the Volturi had known you were there. Liza, I'm going to leave your punishment up to your parents. Fred, come with me."
Jane grabbed Fred's hand and led him from the room.
Father gave me a look that was a clear 'why'.
"I was the victim here, I should be allowed to witness justice being served." I stated.
"Oh Lamb." Mother said as she embraced me. "I completely agree with you, but you got to be careful around the Volturi. Hiding like that probably wasn't the smartest thing."
"I know, but I had to bear witness." I stated. "What is my punishment?"
Mother and Father looked at each other, having a secret debate.
"If you promise to take heed of Jane's advice for the duration of her visit we will not punish you for your curiosity." Father stated.
"Thank you both." I said and hugged them.
"So how are you feeling?" Mother asked.
"I have no idea what to feel." I stated. "The trial is over with and before the day is out Alec will be dead. I feel relief, but also a sense of unease, that a person standing here only moments before will be nothing but ash. Then I remember that he would have consigned me to a human prison or made me his eternal slave under some, well I have no idea why. He cannot love me if he would do such a thing to me. He tried to destroy my life, killing humans along the way. He must die, there is no other way to control him."
"Oh Lamb, I wish you hadn't gone through this." Mother said with a sigh.
"It will be over by the end of the day." I assured her. "Now I must go talk to Mal. Let him know the news."
"Ok." Mother said, although there was something cautious about her manner.
I left the recreation room and found Mal in the library where everyone else appeared to be. I led Mal upstairs and to my room.
"Jane must kill Alec." I informed him.
"Yeah. We saw it all. Tony connected with Essie and broadcast the entire thing to us." Mal replied.
"You saw the trial as it happened?" I asked.
"Yeah."
"Great. I saw nothing, merely heard it from my hiding place." I grouched.
"There wasn't much to see anyway, that has to be the shortest trial in history." Mal observed.
"Alec didn't even have chance to speak. Not that he deserved it, but I would have liked to have known his reason behind trying to ruin my life. Do we not deserve an explanation?" I asked.
"We do, but you still got time to ask him." Mal stated.
"Not much. Jane is determined to have it over and done with. He is to be executed at sunset." I explained.
"Do you want to see if she'll let you talk to him?" Mal offered.
"I think I missed my chance there. I am not to cross her again unless I wish to be punished." I replied.
"Ok. Well what do you want to do?"
"I need to think." I said solemnly.
"Alone?"
I nodded.
"I'll be up on the roof if you need me." He stated.
"Thank you." I replied with the best smile I could muster.
Mal tapped my shoulder and left my room leaving me to brood. I could not concentrate my mind and I found myself wandering instead, down the stairs to the cellars, which were empty. Alec had already been moved; there was no way for me to know his reasons now. I wandered outside, moving slowly in the trees with no clear destination in mind. Not until I found a patch of ferns where my eyes wouldn't focus and I suddenly knew what I wished to do, I would bear witness to the execution.
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