Chapter 21: Dracula's Lair

I settled into my chair, still stealing glances of David. The room fell vampirically silent, the only sound was that of Jacob breathing. Carlisle sat up in his seat, his eyes shifting as though he were sifting through an endless database of memories.

"Due to the nature of my making, and my human life as the son of renowned slayer of vampires, I was not accepted by the vampires that made me, nor myself. I shunned my existence as soon as I was transformed. This gave me a very different perspective of vampire nature and history. After learning of the ability to survive on the blood of animals, I sought many sources and histories searching for a cure, for anything that may aid me in my existence. Having no one to guide me, I found my own methods of study, as you all know, and dedicated my life to knowledge and eventually to the human race. During this time I came to know of the Volturi and its members. I have sought their company, and they mine. I have spent many years with them and learning of their histories and doctrine. There are many principles that they uphold that I do not agree with," his eyes darted quickly around the table, giving respect to those of us who had suffered first hand under their oppression.

"But they have served a purpose in my time," he continued. "Aro has taken on much of the leadership role. His flamboyant personality and willingness to stay current have lead him to power. He is obviously sick with the sovereignty at this point. Some three thousand years ago, according to the histories, Aro formed the coven and over threw the Romanian coven that were the previous rulers."

"Three thousand years?" David interjected, shaking his head. Everyone turned to look at him. "I'm sorry Carlisle, my friend, how long have you been a member of your species?" David said tactfully.

"A mirror glimmer of that time, almost four centuries," Carlisle replied with a curious look.

"Yes, well that would certainly fit," David said, puzzling over the information. "I'm sorry, please continue."

Carlisle hesitated, but continued, "So, in forming the coven, Aro lead with the aid of Marcus and Cauis. As the story follows, there was a rift in the bonds between them when Marcus and his wife Didyme, who was also Aro's sister, sought to leave the coven and head out on their own. Aro pretended to support their wishes, but ended up murdering his sister in order to keep Marcus' loyalty. After this, they have remained in absolute power and have rarely been challenged. This is the story as it has been told throughout the time that I have been in existence, however in my research, I have found some astonishing discrepancies," Carlisle said with an upturned eyebrow.

David's expressionless face perked up at this. Carlisle began again, "I spent time with members of the Romanian coven when they had arrived for Nessie's trail, and their time table seemed to differ, I didn't think much of it immediately, but over the last couple of years I have been looking into our genealogy, mostly for Nessie's sake," he paused, carefully gaging David's reaction. "It seems that the Romanian's telling of the change of power marks the rise of the Volturi much closer to one thousand years ago, rather than three."

"Ah," said David, nodding his head, a faint glimmer caught in his glassy eyes. "This makes much more sense to me."

"I thought it might," Carlisle said with a tiny smile. "I have gone so far as to search the time periods for records around the thousand year mark pertaining to Aro and the others. I have uncovered some things of interest."

It seemed as if everyone had leaned closer, although totally unnecessary for the purpose of better hearing. I looked to Alice who seemed to be calculating Carlisle's next move and thinking of the ramifications of his findings. I smiled a little thinking back to how it must feel when my father and her played chess.

"After a lot of fruitless searching, I stumbled upon some relevant documents. According to the Italian records, about eleven hundred years ago, there was an Aro Angilbert on the birth registry. This was the child of Saint Angilbert, a Frank poet and author who was bound in sacramental marriage to Bertha, a daughter of Charlemagne, King of Franks." Carlisle scanned the room as we all noted his reference with little nods. "There also was a Didyme, born of the same parents," he said with a smile. "So, I do believe that our Romanian friends are much more accurate in their dates. It makes me very curious of our origins and of why our faithful Volturi has mislead us."

"Yes," David answered, "It is very curious indeed."

"Now, with the addition of an older and more powerful species, being present, I do believe we will uncover our answer if we think carefully," Carlisle nearly whispered. "The members of the Romanian coven were not of the eldest descent, they too have relied on the stories of their elders to account for time unknown to them. I believe there is much more to the story than we have at hand and if we are to discover our primal fount, we have a lot of digging to do."

"Carlisle, what have you found regarding Marcus and Cauis?" Alice said with an obviously knowing smile.

"Ah, Alice," he said smirking. "I found notes of a Cauis Greco, who in the year 958 was a member of the Catholic clergy who is said to have 'died of unnatural causes, including painful screaming and complaints of burning flesh when there was no fire to extinguish.' Although this is of coarse no solid proof, but it is something. But I have found nothing of a Marcus that was convincing."

"What does that tell us?" I said to Alice, who obviously knew something that we didn't.

"It tells us," she replied, "that he may or may not have been human in the same time period as Aro and Caius."

"It does tell us that," David said with a gentlemanly smile. "What do you know of the Romanian coven?"

Carlisle gave the answer, "We know that they were defeated by Aro, Cauis and Marcus. And that they were not very well organized. And that they only stalk the streets by night, still to this day, as part of their creed. They acted more like monsters than men. They often speak of the Volturi as reckless and are appalled at their blatant interaction with humans. They are what we would classify as more of the old-world style."

David was nodding slowly as his slender fingers traced the line of his jaw. "Interesting, indeed," he said quietly, the wheels turning in his mind. "So that leads us back to the original question... How did this happen? How did the species come into existence?" He tapped his finger methodically on his face.

"What do you know of our species, David?" my father said. I turned to see his face, he was obviously reading his thoughts.

"Well Edward, in my human life, I saw many things and spent much of my time researching and documenting the supernatural. The combination of my mortal and immortal life have shown me many things. Shortly before my transformation, I had stumbled on your kind, only I didn't know it at the time. I thought it something else, a member of our order reported human witnesses of 'shimmering beings' sighted in Italy." We all gazed at each other nervously. "I, did not respond to the report personally, but I did have a chance to read the them. It seems that we had lost three members of our order on the mission. They disappeared in broad daylight and were found dead, and drained of their blood days later. It was a very disturbing report, actually," he said twisting his features. "I canceled the study, deeming it too dangerous for further investigations. But strangely enough, after my transformation, I have come across your kind in my travels.

You see, after I became a Vampire, I used my powers to continue my human line of work and was still pleasantly obsessed with all things of a historical nature. I found myself creating detailed logs of journies through Europe and Africa and Asia. I traveled through museums and archaeological sites by night, basking in culture at every turn. I found myself wandering the streets of Venice by light of the moon, watching its beams dance on the silvery water. And there she was, staring across the water, her eyes gleamed bright red and her long black hair rippled down her back. I could sense her thirst and smell the sweetness of it spilling from her lips. She seemed sad, her eyes were empty and lonely, they spoke silently to me. She knew me, for what I was. I faltered in categorizing her into a known species. I remember seeing my expression through her eyes. I whispered inaudibly for human ears, 'Vampire?' She replied with her thoughts, not like you. Fear flashed in her face, more like her were approaching. As she turned to flee, I searched her mind, finding her name-- Athenodora."

Esme gasped, "Cauis' wife!" she exclaimed. "But what was she doing outside the Volturi's walls unguarded? I though the wives were always protected." Her motherly eyes had grown large with concern.

"I'm sure that she is perfectly capable of protecting herself," Emmett said with a huff, "No wife of mine would have any problem." Rosalie laughed haughtily.

Esme shot them both a chastising look, "Seriously, I find it somewhat unnerving that she was out on her own, those cities are dangerous, even for Vampires."

My father rolled his eyes, "Oh come on, mom, really?" But Esme just shook her head disapprovingly.

Carlisle brought everyone back to topic, "So if you had seen one of us, why didn't you investigate more? I mean--" he quickly retorted, realizing his rudeness, "weren't you curious?"

David's eyes caught the light as if on purpose, "Oh yes, I was quite curious. I stayed in the city for nearly a year searching every night for another glimpse of one of these creatures, but to no avail. I hunted hastily when necessary, but spent most of the time combing the ally ways and canals in search of her. It wasn't until I broadened my search that fruit was bore. I snaked my way through Italy, listening for words of relevance from the mouths of humans. I kept my scent keen on fresh blood. It wasn't until I reached Florence, that I discovered anything unusual. I heard two young American's dining in a cafe, complaining about the trip that their friends insisted that they go on. It was booked for the next day. They would be going on a tour in Volterra, a small subsidiary of Tuscany -- they referred to it as a stupid tourist trap, nothing but a bunch of superstitious nonsense. I listened closely at the word superstitious, expecting little more than a haunted castle. It was his actions that captured my attention as the silly boy rose to his feet, baring his teeth and pretending to go for the throat of his companion. They roared in laughter as the other one said in the infamous Dracula line, 'I vant to suck your blood.'

I had found them. I immediately headed for Volterra, arriving just before dawn. I found a quaint little Inn and hastily rented their best room and sealed myself into the darkness, finding refuge beneath the four post bed. I awoke the next night just as the sun had made its way behind the rolling hills of the Italian landscape. I exited the hotel, with a gracious smile as the attendant informed me that I still had the room for the rest of the evening. I tipped her copiously and was on my way. It took little time to understand the situation. The Volturi left little to be discovered, I'm afraid. The walls are impenetrable to humans of coarse, but leave little protection from those of my kind. I scanned the compound and found many more humans present than immortals. In fact, I could only hear the minds of three. I first found the surly and arrogant mind of one called Felix, and then Sulpicia..."

"Aro's wife," Carlisle added.

"...and Athenodora. I was unsure of their knowledge of me and was in no hurry to make enemies. I scaled the walls easily and moved closer to the presence of Athenodora. I found them in a private tower riddled with tiny stained glass windows overlooking the rest of the city. I perched outside the window, feeling rather intrusive, but viciously curious.

I listened to their voices ringing back and forth in what sounded to be a friendly debate, 'Really Athenadora,' Sulpicia said, 'How can you feel sorry for them? They are filthy creatures.' The disgust held thick in her voice. 'I mean, at one time, there were hoards of the things rampaging through the cities at night, what did you expect Aro to do?'

'I guess,' Athenadora replied, 'Its just, how do we know that they are all that way?'

Sulpicia scoffed, 'Does it matter? Like Aro says, its us or them.'

Athenadora turned away and nearly looked right at me out the window. I moved quickly to avoid her gaze. 'I suppose you are right,' she said with a sigh, 'I wonder when they will be back...'

'Oh, Athena, don't worry your pretty little head, they will be back soon enough,' she laughed, 'I for one, am glad for some peace and quiet. Aro is obsessed with getting rid of all of them. I'm sick of hearing about it. Come now, our visitors will be arriving shortly.'

I gazed outside the walls of the city to see a line of lights, like little white ants crawling up the hill. The women left their tower. I listened closely as they descended the stairs. Taking care to avoid Felix, I found my way inside the stony structure. It winded tediously further and further underground. I carefully followed the faint scent of blood through the dark corridors. I found myself in a great hall. The soft glow of candle light illuminated the high arching ceiling above. The glass seemed to hang without fixture above me. I caught the sharp scent of humans, many of them. I heard their voices, oohing and awing in amazement as they too reached the opening from the tunnels. I heard the steady voice of the docent noting the architecture and historical paintings lining the walls. I found refuge in a dark corner, willing myself to go unnoticed. Humans are of coarse, easily distracted. I watched as the giant doors enclosed them into the center of the room. There were eighteen of them, mostly twenty-somethings, probably on their college trips. The doors had just clicked shut and locked ominously when I caught their scent. I fought the urge to flee and remained tucked in the shadows. The fury that swept through the room was devastating. The one called Felix descended on the herd of screaming humans like an eagle swooping down on rodents. He caught them swiftly tearing into their flesh, spilling their blood and taking it in huge, glutenous gulps. The females did him no shame and artfully ripped the throats from their victims, soaking their hair and faces in crimson stains. It took a matter of minutes before the entire group had been drained and hideously dismembered. I remember covering my mouth with my hands, in a mortal-like expression of fear and disgust."

David paused obviously recounting the memory with great distaste. I swallowed the thick lump of nausea that threatened to heave itself all over the table. The others looked equally appalled. No one spoke, but looks of absolute revulsion filled the room. Thankfully, after a moment of having to regain himself, Jasper relieved us with a wave of calm, soothing our shock. I gave him a grateful nod.

"It was truly a grotesque scene," David said, closing his reflective eyes. "The three of them, full to the brink with blood wandered heavily out of the room through the heavily armed doors. The docent, who had stood in the corner the whole time watching, took a can of gasoline from a nearby cabinet on the wall and covered the dilapidated bodies with the pungent liquid. She pulled a torch from the wall, sending flames leaping to the windows above, threatening the ceiling with fiery fingertips. The smell of burning flesh was sickening. I could stand it no longer and shot, at an amazing speed, past the human servant and through the open doors. I fought my way through the twists of the tunnels easily and finally emerged from the hellish death pit below and out into the night air. I swiftly found my way back to my quaint little Inn and rushed to my room, in a near panic. Seeking a calming sensation, I found myself in a hot shower, trying to rid myself of such impure memories. The steam was little comfort, but offered me time to think. I suffered immensely at the sight of such horror, such lack of regard for life. I thought of my loved ones, the others of my kind. How has this monstrosity been overlooked? How had we allowed this secret coven of whatever they were to exist in such conditions? It took everything I had to not seek the aid of the others. I wanted so badly to call them from their corners of the earth, wake them from their slumbers. I wanted to summon a gathering of the ancients to rid the earth of this terrifying evil. I crawled beneath the bed and waited for what seemed an eternity, for the quiet to come.

The next nightfall came all to quickly as the thoughts of the previous evening entered my waking mind. I crawled from my hiding place and left the room in the same fashion as the night before. I had a mind to descend on these beastly creatures. Surely I could destroy them. I had just began to lose myself in my plans of annihilation, when I heard them coming. I had scarcely began my journey to the compound, twilight still hung in the air. A large truck tumbled up the hill. It's shiny black paint smiled like the devil smiled at the innocent. I opened my mind and search its contents. I heard several of them inside, their names cascading in each other's minds-- Aro, Jane, Dimitri, Alec, Cauis, Marcus... And then something else. One of us, one of my kind. I was sure of it. I tried to speak mentally to my kin, but all I could hear was his terrified screams of waking and not knowing where he was. He was pounding furiously on the coffin lid sealed above him. He was young, not even past the century mark. I did not know him, but the thought of them capturing one of my kind shook me to the core. I could do nothing but watch, helplessly from the sidelines as the sinister vehicle slid inside the walls of the compound. I followed, making my way much more carefully over the walls, listening.

I could hear his screams and the curses he was flinging recklessly at his captors. Maniacal laughs echoed and bounced playfully off the stone walls. I climbed to the window above the great room peering cautiously down on the scene below. Two of the creatures flung the vampire containing coffin into the middle of the room. The one called Aro, stood at the center giving the orders to open the lid. His dark hair, draped like curtains over his face, parting in the middle just enough for his protruding features of be seen. One of the others released the locks of the lid and a stumbling fledgling vampire emerged in a flurry of fear and anger. He flung the one nearest to him against the hall. The others attacked him, wrestling him roughly to the ground. It took four of them to subdue him. Aro laughed, amused at the spectacle before him.

'You are strong now my friend,' Aro said with an evil grin curling from his lips, 'but let us test that strength against the rays of the sun tomorrow. Bleed him and chain him down,' he said with a cruel laugh. The others fought with him, but one eventually managed to deliver a blow with a knife that proved deep enough for blood to spurt from the wound. They held him as he weakened and bound his wrists, ankles and throat with chains. It took quite sometime for the bound vampire to stop thrashing, but his strength was wavering as the blood seeped onto the stony floor. The others stood guard, awaiting the rise of the sun. Tears were shimmering down my cheeks. I wanted nothing more than to be able to save this young one. I could do nothing now but look down upon him with pity and strife. I waited until the threat of sunlight was so great that my flesh began to grow hot. Wiping the bloody mess from my cheeks I retreated to the safety of my room and fell into my death-like slumber in a heap of grief."

The telling of the tale seemed to be draining David. But he seemed determine to finish. "I awoke the next night conflicted with what to do with my findings, but it was Marius whom reached me first. It had been quite some time since I had heard this voice. His distant call was alive in my mind. His need for my presence was great-- and urgent. Others were being summoned. It was a call that I could not ignore. I left the horrible sight of so much death and destruction and sought the rare comforts of those of my own kind. Surely the others would know what to do with these dreadful creatures. I was very surprised to learn that it was the exact same beings that were troubling Marius." David said with a sigh, "And you already know the rest." He smiled, but it was half-hearted and weak.

My mind raced. I bit my bottom lip in earnest, I could feel the tears coming. I was fighting, but not fast enough, "We will be destroyed! I don't see how your kind can allow this stuff to keep happening!" I sobbed. Jake's arm flew around my shoulder and he pulled me in close.

David was by my side instantly. "Oh no, my pretty thing. We are not hasty beings." His voice was kind and gentle, "I have not told the others of my experience. I know Marius well, my dear. He is all for the preservation of life. He will do nothing until he is sure."

"But can't they read your thoughts? How could they not know what you saw?" I gasped in between the heaves of my chest.

"The could if they so chose, but we exchange a mutual respect and I closed my mind to them of this matter and they respect doors. We all have our reasons for keeping things secret. We are very patient. Don't worry, this will all be sorted out. I promise." I looked up into his crystal eyes. He smiled kindly and ran a hand over my hair, "You are all much to precious to be destroyed."

I looked around the table. The others seemed to share my fear, all except for Alice who was expressionless, lost in a vision.