Aurora
Disclaimer: First of all, not mine. Not in the least. The only things I own are a nice little townhome, a dog, and the Twilight DVD, Baby! Twilight itself? not so much. Although, if it has the Cullen Crest on it, I like to at least think it's mine.
Summary: I guess you can call this Carlisle's Twilight but there isn't any romantic interest since this is way before Esme. This is Carlisle's time with the Volturi; who he met, what he did while he was there, and how he learned of the immortal children, werewolves, and other creatures that weren't so human…
Chapter 10
To which we ran, I knew not other than we did so. For what may be a good hour we didst run and create no other sound than the wind that didst train around us in our wake. Neither Caterina nor I didst take breath or in any other way make much noise. I believe it out of fear, anger, and, for my part, confusion than neither did dare to speak nor did she take much notice of my presence.
As we ran, I took notice in how tight her jaw was and the fury that lay hidden beneath her eyes. It smoldered as if no heavenly host may quench such anger. Whether she be angry with myself or with the children of the moon that didst take aim to quarrel with me, or for some other reason unbeknownst to me, I knew not.
Of what I did know, there was plainly little to be said. Many questions echoed within my head regarding not just this nights events but many of the previous. The conversation of which I had with Aro and Caius sprang into my mind as well as the simple truth that Caterina did seemingly appear from nowhere to become my savior, clad in her scarlet robes. For what assassin did protect from those that wish to destroy; where these not the actions of a guard, one that preserves life and takes it only in just actions, rather than the actions of one who did commit the grave sin of murder for greed and not more?
The waning moon did little to light our way given that the new moon plunged the world into it's darkness but two days prior to this. Though we did not need the light of the moon in which to see the world before us, it would have given me great comfort to have the light surround us in it's familiar soft glow. I knew not of our direction for Caterina merely held to my wrist and pulled me in the direction to which she led. After an hour of the sullen silence, did she slow and release my hand from her grasp.
She turned but did not look upon me. Her hand were firmly clasped in front of her and she did not make movement. So still she stood, in such a rigid pose, I wouldst mistake her more for a statue of a grand sculptor, carved of the finest marble so that the artist may show the highest of a woman in her irritable fury forever encased, and not that of my sister. Though I knew her to be angry, I felt no fear of her wrath and gently went about to touch her lightly on the shoulder. When I did approach, and no movement did she make, I placed my hand upon her and looked upon her bent hood that didst conceal her face from me. "Doth thy feel well?" I inquired. I needed to hear her say that she were angry with me rather than endure this silence for any longer.
"No," I heard her voice but above a whisper in my direction from beneath the scarlet hood. Her hands still be clasped together as to make a mighty fist in which her knucles were taut and the very muscular of her fingers couldst be seen.
Place, I did, both my hands upon her shoulders and made attempt to look into her eyes that she shielded from me. "Caterina, speak on to me so that I may hear thy words! Hide not thy voice as thine eyes be hidden anon," I pleaded with her in hopes that some movement may come of it. If even it be for her anger, such a fate were far better than this hour of silence.
Caterina's head snapped up at my pleas but no smile was contained upon her face. This movement alone did provide what was necessary to mollify my fears. "Didst they bite thee?" I asked of her softly. I knew little of the werewolf lore that was within the annuals of Aro's library but I didst know that such bites could prove problematic to our kind.
She shook her head, albeit slightly, and raised her eyes to look into mine. "Thee be well?" she inquired though her voice still be stiff with her anger. In her eyes, now could I see that the anger was not as flowing as earlier but still quite present. This change did make my heart glad for I did not wish for my sister to hold such a burden as anger within her.
"Indeed," I answered her, a small but true smile forming upon my lips at that. Caterina, who didst save me though be her but a woman, worried about me, a man, who was not even permitted to touch one of the fallen werewolves by her own hand. Was it not to be I, the man, who should rescue the lady, Caterina? Was it not I who should pull her hand away from the coat of a werewolf so that I might protect her?
We were quite a good minute more. I watched as the anger fled from her ever present garnet colored eyes though she tried to make no notice of how her humor did slip. "Go, hunt," she commanded me after our brief bit of silence.
"Catherina," I began so that I might tell of her that I did so already hunt and had no need for more. Were my eyes not their bright gold or had she not learned the brightness yet of what my eyes may be when I had taken to my full? By either means, I did not need more blood for the night.
"Thou doth need to hunt. Do so for my sake and do not quarrel with me more, Carlisle!" she said as her voice did rise towards the end. The sound of her voice, though be it full of vexation, for her to speak so clearly and though commandingly to me, did further assuage my fears for her. I pulled one of her hands away from their tight grasp of each other and gently kissed it. This simple action did so seemingly to allay her anger for the moment. She be but irritable now if her eyes and exasperated expression did give a window to her true humor. "I shall come with thee if that is thy wish," she did tell me lowly.
Torn was I betwixt two choices that were presently before me. For once in my existence, I would not hunt alone. Had Caterina taken to my choice or be willing to attempt such a life? It did come to me in that moment that never did I see her at the feeding frenzy that the Volturi did initiate nor did I hear of her there. Her eyes were their garnet, slightly more purple than the eyes of the others. Had she found her own way long ago? Was the color of gold in my eyes truly odd and did all others, even given a diet of another kind, have eyes of red? This thought would I place aside for later conversations since it be but another question I would have ask of her. The other choice presently before me would be to deny this opportunity and not be overly zealous in my hunting. To teach another the way that I have chosen, in which human life was preserved and I could so live peacefully among them, was far too rich for me to ignore.
"Though it be not necessary for me to hunt more, I would like to give to your humor and do so," I told her truthfully. From that didst I see the smallest hint of a smile upon her visage. I felt her arm move to wrap itself around my own arm so that I might escort her through the forest.
"Humor me, then," she told me. Our perambulation begun, we did go in a southerly direction for which, I was quiet sure, the castle be but a good ways off. If my eyes and my feet do not lie, I would think us in the mountains that do border this country, in the province of Milan. I took a great amount of air to see what lies in this area, as well as to make sure that no humans be nearby. Caterina let out a laugh so small at me that didst hardly hear of it. I inspected her with curiosity, my brow raised as I did so. She did no more than shake her head and allow her ill humor to retake her visage.
"I shalt have hunt if there be people within the vicinity. Thereby, I had need to take a breathe," I informed her.
"Have thee need to make such display in the simple act of breathing?" she asked though I heard the ribbing in her voice. I didst smile at that. This be the Caterina I knew and loved, not that creature that did so make her stay to be so still in the forest but a minute ago. The one that would be relentless in her teasing and for her soft warmth to reappear, which was the Caterina that I did know of.
"How else might I know if some overly zealous hunter or band of gypsies or outlaw might be in the area around me? I have no wish to be the cause of the destruction of a human life," I informed her. I couldst smell a large bear with in a mile or two from us. Although that be far more than I had wished, a bear would make a most excellent show of how I do hunt and live.
"Thou wouldst be burdened with guilt over the death of an outlaw?" she asked of me, her brow raised as if to question my mental capabilities. Of this question, would I have to answer careful, for no ill blood -of no pun did I intend- should I wish between us. To me, all human life be precious and did need to be cared for. But if Caterina be what I believe her to be, what Aro had made mention of, then her views were of a different type. I thought on this for a moment. Caterina merely looked as if I be contemplating whether I would feel guilt over such an act. I knew of that there would be no question, I would.
"I personally would," I stated with care. No more would need to be said on such a subject or so did I hope.
We were close to the bear now so I did stop and Caterina did along with me. I took notice of the smile upon her face and answered it. "Wouldst thee wish to take this bear?" I asked her. Caterina's face did surprise me for it did not look amused nor softly irritated as I thought it might, but shocked and full of fear. "It cannot hurt thee, Caterina," I said quickly as I might. "It's claws and teeth cannot breech our skin."
Quiet was she for a good moment and quite still in her movements. It brought back the look of the statue from a few minutes earlier but this time her stance was one of shock and...sadness? Of this, I did not understand. As I turned to embrace her about the shoulder so that I might break her from this posture, she looked up at me.
"No, Carlisle. It be best if thee didst take this bear," she said in a quiet whisper barely above the sound of a gentle breeze. I nodded in response to my sister's soft demand and took off after the bear.
The bear was not large, thankfully, but he did not move in a way I had become accustom to bears moving either. His movements were slow and clumsy, taking a stumble at every other step along the edge of a small creek where he did try to sedate his thirst. I would sedate my own more than was necessary in a moment with his blood. From behind myself did I think that I did hear the smallest hint of laughter in the air, for it was Caterina's voice, so I took no mention of it. Beyond that, was I too far gone into my nature.
Sprang, did I, at the creature before me and didst I catch him about the neck, taking him easily as I pushed my teeth through his grizzled hide. The blood didst taste off as if some matter had come in contact with it that but I had fleeting memories of. I knew not what to name of it other than it were different from other blood I have taken from bears through out Europe. I drank till beyond my fill and broke the bear's neck so that I might be sure that he was truly gone. As the lifeless body of the animal didst drop upon the earthen ground, I looked up to see Caterina shaking her head at me as if I were quite a sport in which to watch.
"Thee be amused?" I asked her plainly. No offense could I take at such folly that she did perceive for she be the first that hath not laughed prior to this at my chosen diet and for the sake that she come with me thus far. For once in my existence, did I not hunt alone and for this I was grateful even if she did see such a hunt as more sport than need.
From this question did I hear an answer with a thousand small chimes echoing in a musical melody that didst make up her voice, for she did laugh. "Quite," she responded smilingly. Her scarlet form moved closer, all traces of fury and earlier sadness gone from her marble like face, for left in it's place was the hints of amusement and happiness. These humors would I much rather see upon her visage any day that I am able, for they suit her temperament.
As a smile played skillfully upon her lips did she crook her head to the side in wonderment and asked, "Art thou drunk?"
"Drunk?" I repeated her question for I knew not of which she meant. Our kind couldst not become intoxicated in such a way as humans or other mammals by the vile drink of the vine or the wheat.
"Indeed, for although I know it not necessarily possible given our natures, I do believe the bear you didst drink from anon was quite pissed," she informed me with such amused cheer that she did laugh through saying such a thing.
I gazed at the dead body of the grizzled bear behind me and thought upon his actions prior to myself taking his blood. He had moved oddly and slowly and didst stumble but how couldst a bear get drunk for I did not think a human would be willing to part with his wine to give such a water to a thirsty bear if the bear didst even wish for such a drink. Caterina must have noticed my confusion and didst point down the creek to show that mayhap three hundred feet or so downwards was a bush of half eaten berries. By taking a breath couldst I smell them and realized for what Caterina didst speak of; for the berries were well and fermented. Knowing thus, I came to know why the bear didst not put up much of a fit and why my clothing had barely been scratched at, for the bear was drunk off of the berries and could not react well to my attack.
Upon this realization, I smiled sheepishly at my sister for not knowing of which she had spoken prior and for myself in not realizing what the off taste was to the blood for it had been alcohol. She gave another laugh and turned to the dead body behind myself and went towards it. She knelt down to the dead bear, her dress and scarlet cape pooling about her on the earth, as she didst put too fingers to it's neck, for blood laid there. Two fingers did she stick to the blood of the bear and following put them to her mouth to taste it. A curious look came upon her face for it was one of thinking and not one of those that do feed. She turned to me and resumed her former place upon my arm to further escort her back to the castle though I knew not the precise way and I was of the belief that she did.
"Such blood is not as poor as I did much suspect," She told me as we began our walk.
Such a revelation did surprise me for the sound of her voice sounded quite accepting, as if she may wish to try such sport in the future. "Bear is quite good but I much in preference to that of foxes," I informed her in the hopes that by keeping such talk light she may be more comfortable to accept an invitation for my next hunting.
Her face grew slightly dark again but not nearly as so as prior occasions this evening. "So I didst see," she informed me quietly. "Does thou feel better upon your hunt? Thou art sure the werewolves did no harm unto you?" she asked out of concern and no longer in anger.
"I am well, Caterina," I reassured her. She nodded to this and my earlier questions did spring to my mind for they were never far from the forefront to start. "Though I do confess I am confused," I admitted to her.
"For what art thou confused on, Carlisle?" she asked, looking back towards me as we walked through woods at a vampire's gait yet not running.
I took a bit of time to think upon which question I should ask of her firstly for I did not wish to scare her with my inquisition and force her from my sight, nor did I wish to have her run to Aro and have quarrel with him for daring to tell me of her. With this thought, I went with the latest question that occupied my head. "To what do I owe the honor of having you in the woods during my hour of need?" I teased lightly.
Caterina raised her brow at me and laughed again. "I assume that thee doth have more questions than just that?"
"Aye, but that be the latest to set itself within my mind," I answered her verily.
"Then shall we start with a question that thee hath a more pressing need upon thy mind?" she inquired.
I sighed, exasperated. I knew not how to so delicately approach the subject for what if Aro spoke falsely to me and she be not an assassin and, in questioning her, I do offend. Or worse, what if Aro spoke rightly, for what should I do then? "I know not how to frame the questions I currently perceive in my mind for they confuse me more with the answers I might be given," I confessed to her.
Caterina slowed slightly and did place upon my arm that she already held in escort her free hand gently. "Pray, tell me how the questions didst come about and I mayhap can help thee," she informed myself.
"Aro called upon me," I began, looking onto her face from the corner of my eye to see any expression she might have. She held none for her mask was firmly in place the moment I spoke Aro's name. "And Caius as well."
"What did they say unto thee?" she asked as quite as a church mouse might, her voice giving away her fear. Did she not know that I would not see her as my sister already fully and that I would never abandon family lest it be that I were the danger to them?
"They called thee an assassin," I told her, looking unto her visage for any trace of a crack into the mask she wore so carefully over her face in concentration. For a long time was there silence betwixt us as we did walk our way back to Volterra, over roads and through the forested areas. When we came to a field that lay in fallow did she speak again unto me.
"If you no longer wish to call me thy sister, of this wouldst I understand," she whispered, slowly letting go of my arm as if she feared she had offended me.
"Caterina!" I shouted, forgetting that it be near dawn and humans maybe in sleep nearby. I cared not for I worried on my sister's state and did place my hands upon her shoulders to hold her in this field so that she could not run from me yet. If she ran, I wouldst have her know my feelings first.
She held her head low, the hood to her scarlet cloak no longer upon her head, the light of the stars danced upon her hair making it glisten like metal softly. "Catty," I teased her lightly in hopes to get an amused response but I received none. "Pray, of this, it doth not matter for thee be my sister. No words can change what I have seen of thee for my own eyes," I told her as my hands stayed upon her shoulders.
She looked up at me in shock and I knew that, if she be human, tears wouldst have formed in her garnet eyes. "I am a monstrosity, Carlisle. I beg of thee to understand this if nothing else," she told me. "I should not have allowed myself to be as such to thee nor let myself come to have a brother," Caterina whispered so low I didst hardly hear of her.
"Caterina, a monster wouldst not have left the werewolves live nor give their finest gown to a dead serving girl even if it was to ease a brother's pain," I told her, hoping that she might take some faith in me. Gently, I raised her chin so I might look at her eyes, for she hid them from me. "None can change what venom we do share in common. We are siblings and no words can change that," I teased lightly. No, we were not by blood relations but we did have the same venom. Even if such a thing was not as strong, given I had seen many that break from their coven that share such in common or others create a new vampire for they found her pretty or another handsome and didst wish for a mate, I knew that Caterina was my sister and that she be the only one I have ever had.
"I," she began and then tore her eyes away from me, shaking her head. I left my hands from her shoulder and face knowing that she wouldst not leave now and let such fall limply at my sides. "I did not do such to ease your pain, Carlisle. None should be buried without some show that they were loved here on earth even if it be but a fraction of what they shall receive in heaven," she informed me. I smiled at that for it eased my mind well and did show that some part of me was correct in my thinking of her.
"And thee be not a monster, Caterina," I whispered as I took the liberty of taking her hand to place a kiss upon it. She offered a week smiled in return.
"What else is there to call one who does commit murder and has advantages over their target?" she asked of me.
"When I didst find myself thinking upon this question, I did come to know that, from what I have deduced of thee, that thou does not kill unjustly," I informed her, secretly praying to God that I was correct in my assumptions.
She raised a brow, "How did thee come to such a deduction?"
"When I first came upon thee, thou wert praying in a chapel. What killer wouldst pray lest they kill justly and pray that such justice be within God's divine mercy?" I did say unto her. A smile didst play upon Caterina's lips and, by her face and eyes that she tried unsuccessfully to now hide, I wouldst swear that she did blush though our kind could not do so. I watched her closely as she turned to take my arm again so I might escort her on our way back to the castle in Volterra.
"Mayhap, they do not," she told me still not allowing herself to look upon me. I wished to see her garnet eyes so that I might be given some knowledge of what she might think.
"The Volturi spoke unto me that thou were currently after Anna who is a monster, verily. Be this not true? Be this thy reason for being in the forest? Or were it the werewolves?" I asked as my curiosity overtook my sense.
Caterina stopped, her face no longer one of embarrassment but one fear again, thought she did not pull away from me. After a moment, she shook her head and forced a smile upon her face, "The werewolves that didst attempt to take thee were I tracking for I believe they mayhap be in league with Anna." She was holding something back but I did not pry more for I wished not to revisit the pain that flashed across her face. As her brother, was I not to protect her and not cause her any harm? I went with my new thoughts that did seem lighter than this current subject in which to match our current aim and gait.
"Next time I am in need to hunt, would thou come with me? For I cannot recall ever hearing nor seeing thee hunt," I told her lightly. This, apparently, was also a painful or forbidden subject because sadness again crept over her face but, even given this, she did answer more quickly.
"I do not hunt, Carlisle," she said. Of this, this time didst I stop for no such this was possible for our kind. Either you did as the Volturi did and have humans –or animals I might imagine- brought to you so that you may sedate your thirst or you went looking for such in the wild. Either way, you did give over to your nature and hunt in some small way. I looked at her incredulously.
"I…cannot. I have abilities that forbid me from the hunt so, instead, I take the blood that has been let through a surgeons care or ….from a corpse that the soul has freshly left," Caterina admitted so very quietly I did not even believe that I heard it. Not only did she tell to me that she had abilities, a rare thing but not uncommon and each very different, but that these abilities forbade her from the hunt. She did not kill for blood, she took the blood that had already been spent. Such blood died quickly and would not do well once it has congealed for then it did smell to us as rotting fruit does smell to humans I do as much suppose. But many things can affect the blood so it does not congeal as quickly as it might. Suddenly, I thought on the funeral and much remembered the slightest change in Caterina's eyes.
"…Laura?" was all I was able to ask of her. Was this off feeling of sickness, the thought that my sister did take her food source from corpses and wasted blood of the sick what the others did feel when I spoke of my diet. If so, then I should not be as cruel to my sister and hope that I might understand her ways for did she not say that it were her abilities that forced her thus. She had not found the way through animal blood but was that even possible for her? She did not kill any unjustly, even for her meal. This was enough for now. Mayhaps I couldst catch the animals for her and break their necks so she might survive in a way that might more fully suit her if she be unable to hunt.
She nodded in answer to my question. "I beg of thee, Carlisle, forgive me," stated Caterina with her voice so sad and weak that my heart did break if it could to hear her.
I stopped her and embraced her as any brother might do to comfort his sister. "I will care for thee, Caterina, if thee wouldst let me. If thou would wish and if the abilities of thine wouldst permit thee, then so shall I bring to thee any deer, bear, or fox that thee may wish for and give it a quick death before placing such in thy arms," I told her as I pulled back to see if she would be approving of my proposal. Of course, this did assume that she wished for another way of life. Since I had not seen the Volturi carrying corpses in to feed to her, I was unsure and felt rather overbearing in asking such a thing. However, at the same time, I needed for her to know that she could have another way if she so wished.
Her eyes bore into mine with such an expression that I could not name it. "Thou would do such for me?" she asked of me.
"Thou be my sister, and I, as thy brother, am in need to care for thee," I told her. I was curious as to where this husband, that I heard of but once, was and why he did not seem to take care of his wife. He did not live in Volterra, of that much I did learn in the past three days and prior but if he lived at all also seemed to be in question from the answered I had gotten.
"And if thou does take to mate or wive?" she asked.
"Then so shall she bring to thee such creatures when I am unable," I answered verily. Caterina laughed at that.
"Come then, Carlisle! Let us go back to Volterra," she told me and with that did we speed back to the castle.
Author's Note: This one is really really long but I hoped you liked it. Some questions were answered but it left a lot more questions to be answered in the next few chapters.