All characters are always the property of Stephenie Meyer.
Chapter 3 Brothers
The night following the pixie's premonition, I retreated to my favorite spot in the city. On the edge of the fountain, I felt at peace. It had always been a special place for me and able to erase any tension I was feeling. Right now I felt more wound up than ever before. As I approached the center of town, I noticed a human couple sitting on the edge of the pool, huddled together closely. Her arms were wrapped around the man's shoulders as he whispered frivolous dribble in her ear about forever and eternity when their human minds were so incapable of even comprehending the terms. It would have been amusing to toy with the weak strands of love they thought was their entire world and seduce the man just to watch his girlfriend be crushed. But I was in a raw sort of mood today.
They saw my deep black cloak and looked up, never releasing their hold on each other. The look I saw in both sets of eyes was not one of fear. The villagers knew not to be afraid of the Guard. To them, we were the most elite of their police, though in reality, we never even bothered with their human affairs, even in our own city. It didn't surprise me they acted natural and smiled, even though their subconsciouses were already ringing with alarms. Two frail, weak hearts picked up momentum and their breathing became even shallower as their bodies registered their instinctual fear. The man, handsome enough for a human, smiled lightly and greeted me respectably.
"Fuck off," I snarled back, in no mood for niceties.
Two sets of eyes grew wide at the same instant and they stood up quickly. Without a glance back, the man pulled the girl quickly from the square. I sighed loudly and flung myself haphazardly on the wide lip of the fountain, letting my fingertips swirl lazy circles in the clear water. For a long while, I sat with my eyes closed and let the sounds of the water rushing and splashing clear my senses and unravel the funk I had been carrying around with me these past few days. I only opened them again when I sensed someone coming, but it was reluctantly. I knew who it was. With deep chocolate hair shimmering in the pale moonlight, Heidi strode confidently toward me. Inwardly I groaned.
Despite being colleagues, Heidi and I did not get along. She was annoyingly difficult and constantly threatening to take what was mine, including Felix. I rolled my eyes as she sat down next to me. Take him if you want him, honey, I had told her on countless occasions. And yet, after all this time, he was still devoted to me like a lost puppy. If he wasn't such a great lay, I'd actually find it pathetically annoying.
"What do you want, Heidi?" It sounded more like a growl than a question. Maybe she'd take the hint.
She smiled in a devious way. "Aro wants to speak with you. I think he wonders why the Cullens are still alive."
I snorted. She thinks? Heidi made it her business to know everything. I finally caught her eye, noticing they were natural crimson instead of the violet she normally sported, always hiding behind a pair of colored contacts. She usually tried to justify wearing them even when not working because a "situation" may arise.
What situation? Hurry! A tour bus broke down and dinner is going to be late to the throne room? Right, Heidi. Have fun waiting for that one.
She didn't seem in any hurry to leave after giving me the message, so I hoisted myself from the edge of the pool and began walking toward the tower where Aro would undoubtedly be waiting. Heidi hopped up and was following silently a few steps behind me. With a sideways glance in her direction, I saw the amused smile still playing on her lips.
"What are you smiling about?" I hissed, knowing too well she was only looking to provoke me.
"I hear the male is exquisite," she said and giggled.
Naturally. Her one track mind was on its one track, but it didn't feel like the real reason behind her seeking me out, then tagging along. She felt the same way toward me as I did to her. We drifted in silence before she spoke again.
"And I have to admit, I'm interested to see how the golden child gets herself out of this one. Caius is furious." This time, Heidi laughed aloud. I growled again.
"I'm assuming you were asked to do nothing more than deliver a message?" It ended as a question, but I already knew the answer. "Then I suggest you get lost."
With some difficulty, she reapplied her grin though it looked more like a grimace at the prospect of having to leave before she heard the juicy details of my reprimand. She was just going to have to get over it. There was no way this bimbo was coming to my meeting with the brothers.
"If you're sure I can't help..."
With a swift backhand, I slapped her across that beautiful little face of hers. Without all my force behind it, Heidi merely staggered backwards, mouth opened in shock, but the power was enough to split her lip. Luckily, we don't bleed or I would have to have torn her head from that thin neck just for making me uncomfortable. In any case, the action had the desired effect and Heidi stood planted at the point of impact, hand rubbing her jaw and eyes following me as I faded into the dark alley.
At least it made me feel a little better. I wish I could show Caius the back of my hand. Out of all the brothers, he was the one who thought the least of me. But it was so much more than a mere dislike. Since I had come to Volterra, he had been the very bane of my existence, even more so than Heidi. No one had the power to infuriate me the way he could. No matter what I did, Caius would find a conspiracy hidden beneath my motives, even though I had never dreamed of being anything but loyal.
To Aro at least.
Until now.
The words that Alice said ran through my thoughts again and again. I had no conscious desire to go against the men who raised me. That included Caius. No matter our differences, he was my mentor's brother, and therefore due respect. It was the one thing I could offer him. Accusation after accusation I held my tongue, never striking back in any way. It wasn't the easiest thing to do given the nature of my instincts which Caius realized early on, but his little rants accomplished nothing more than making me livid. I never spoke back to him and that's what he wanted from me.
Of course, I realized long ago it was fear that drove his tirades against me. I was an unknown. Aro could not see my thoughts. Neither Jane nor Alec had any effect on me and Demetri was blind when it came to tracking the essence of my mind. For all these reasons, there had been major negotiations regarding my place amongst the Volturi. Caius had been irate when it was Marcus, not the ever optimistic Aro who recommended me to take control of the Volturi should the need ever arise. Caius went along with his brothers' decision, only because he had been out-voted. Still, the need for a successor was irrelevant, which is why he accepted the decision. Not that it made him happy, but he did get the pleasure of infuriating me. Maybe that was worth it in his eyes.
In any case, not even I had foreseen a reason I would have to step up to the position. It was a joke in my mind. I didn't want to be thrust under the scrutiny of millions of vampires worldwide. Not that any of their opinions mattered, but I had never been one to enjoy being the center of attention. I liked working behind the scenes where it really mattered. I could care less about being any one's poster child.
I had reached the ancient wooden door marking the entrance of the tower. I took the time to feel the incredibly smooth surface, weathered by ages of wind and rain. The grain told its own story of life and struggle, in a time, perhaps thousands of years ago, when this tree had sprouted and begun growing. Shaking the silent musings from my mind, I pushed it open. I wanted to stall awhile longer, but I knew I could find endless distractions and might never enter.
Deep down, I knew Aro would be accepting of whatever lie I told him, but the fact remained that a seed had been planted in my own mind. It had already taken root, try as I might to deny it. I could be the one to destroy them. It could happen. But why would I when they offer so much? All the benefits, minimal responsibility. What more would I want? I, under no circumstance, wanted to rule. End of story. That realization alone should have untwisted the knots in my stomach, but the feeling didn't fade. I already felt guilty. Guilty of something that seemed too impossible to even try and fathom. Yet, there I was, running it over in my head again and again. It simply didn't make sense and I knew I had to cool it before I walked in. I was already approaching the door.
Pulling in a deep lung full of air, I squared my shoulders. This was it. I was ready for my close-up. Pushing through the wide door, I stepped into the huge circular antechamber. My senses took in the thrones placed unevenly around the walls and the slight dip in the center of the floor where the drain was. It always smelled rank with blood and the overwhelming scent of massacre. Far from making me thirsty, I found the stench in the throne room repulsive.
"Isabella, darling!" Aro's smooth voice crossed the spacious room as he glided over to meet me. I automatically smiled. I could tell that he wasn't in his usual upbeat mood. Perhaps, the Cullens had piqued him more than I originally anticipated.
"Aro," I greeted when he embraced me, kissing each of his papery cheeks. "How have you been?"
"Fine, my child. The pressures of ruling a world are as uncomfortable as ever." He laughed lightly, grabbing my elbow and pulling me to where his brothers and the personal guards were gathered.
Caius stared through narrowed eyes, a wicked smile just playing at the corners of his mouth. It was unnerving, almost like he was about to call my bluff. Not that I was trying to hide anything. Except, in a way, that's exactly what I was doing. For the sake of my existence.
Alice's warning rang in my head and I was thankful again Aro's talent couldn't penetrate my mind. I knew that if any of them knew what Alice had said, my existence would be in jeopardy. That was how the Volturi functioned. We eliminated any threat to our way of life. That's how the Cullen's appeared on our radar; choosing a lifestyle other than ours.
We reached the set of three stone chairs which the brothers claimed to do their business. It had always been that way. The three brothers in the center and the dozen other thrones for the others, though the Disciples of Volterra had been extinguished over a century ago. I knew, because I had the pleasure of eradicating some of the more pious among them, but their thrones remained as a silent threat for all other vampires. If the brothers could so easily turn against their peers, imagine what they were capable of doing to those who had no direct bearing or influence on their lives. It was a difficult lesson for anyone to forget.
Aro seated himself in his vacant chair, but it was Caius who spoke. "What lies do you have for us today, girl?"
He always refrained from using my name. Just add it to the list of annoying habits he had to irritate me. Marcus was sitting off to Aro's left, staring at the other side of the room. Not paying attention, as usual.
"If you mean the Cullens-"
"Of course I mean the Cullens, you stupid girl," Caius mocked. "You see, brothers? She is hardly equipped with the mental capacity to speak, let alone rule our people. I tell you, Aro, we are better off to draft a new will. Demetri is a warrior. He is much more suited to lead."
I took a deep breath to settle my anger before it got too out of control. With how I had been overreacting to everything this past week, it was a possibility. I couldn't let myself lose it. One step out of line and Caius would have me banished from the city. Or worse.
"They know more than they've said. I think-"
"You think?" The ancient snarled at me. "We cannot base the outcome of our future on your assumptions."
"Caius," Aro chided his brother. "Manners, my brother. Isabella has never been anything other than completely loyal to us. We also must be careful with our assumptions."
Caius stared at his brother with an obvious look of distaste on his face. He made no effort to hide it, but Aro turned back to me, ready to ask his own questions. His would be easier to answer, but that might have something to do with the fact he wouldn't belittle me every opportunity he had.
"What is the delay? It isn't like you to put off an execution. Have there been new developments?" he wondered, studying my face.
Now, I had to think fast. I decided a version of the truth was the best way to go, so I said. "They are both so powerful, Aro. It just seems like we would be better off with them working with us."
"Has no one ever explained to you about the Cullens?" Caius sneered. "They will never join us and we have already tried as much force as was necessary. That only leaves one option. Ever. There is never cause for postponing the inevitable."
"Caius is right," Aro agreed quietly.
My shoulders slumped forward and I lowered my eyes in an attempt to look properly chastised. In reality, my mind was whirling. How can I manage more time to question them? I can't say why, but I knew I couldn't let this go with the small amount of information I was able to siphon from the pair. There was something more to gain from their knowledge. They held something important. Maybe not as far as the Volturi were concerned, but no matter which way I looked at it, it was important for me.
I decided that another smidgen of truth might help my situation. As long as I could keep all the ramifications of Alice's vision to myself, it might be my only chance to prolong their internment. "The girl has been having visions," I finally said, hoping it wasn't too much. Aro's eyes widened, but Caius merely scowled. "She is starting to open up to me, to trust me. She may be turned yet. And if I can change her mind..."
"Yes," Aro clapped his hands delightedly. "Her mate would follow her. Two for the effort of one."
I saw my chance and seized it. "Exactly," I breathed.
After a moment in his surprise, Caius protested, "Dear brother, you know as well as I that it is impossible."
"If there is any doubt, I can see the girl for myself, Caius. Then we will know exactly what she and her family are hiding."
Oh shit. I couldn't let that happen. Time to think fast.
"She told me she is only getting flashes, but it sounds like something beneficial to us. I'm positive she trusts me enough to tell me what it is she is seeing when it finally materializes." Good job, Bella. That sounded convincing.
Caius snarled, but I could see Aro's deliberate concentration as he considered this. Finally, he smiled his familiar grin and I knew it would be good news. So did Caius. He immediately tried to protest, but Aro raised his right hand and silenced him.
"It seems imprudent to force her to give us information. Likely she will tell you, but to ensure it, her mate will be executed tomorrow at twilight. That ought to give little Alice something to think about."
I plastered the most impossibly fake smile on my face. I understood all too well what had just happened. By giving an absolute time frame to their lives, Aro will force Alice to bend to our will.
"You have one week after that. If she doesn't change sides, she will be next," he continued a bit morosely. Aro certainly saw the advantage having the pixie's power of premonition working for us.
"Thank you," I answered, looking one last time at Caius' furious glare. I ducked my head slightly, and backed from the room.
Surely, Alice would have seen this decision, so I did the only thing I could. I sprinted to the prison.