Aurora

Disclaimer: Not mine. Sorry. I'm just playing with 'em.

Summary: During Carlisle Cullen's stay at Volterra, he learns there are other creatures that go bump in the night...

Chapter 12

I did not straight away to Caterina's chambers in order to hear the truth of Aro's words from her own lips but, instead, did think upon these matters within my own small study for there was much deliberation to be had. Firstly, there be the matter of the werewolves, though that no longer be at the forefront of my mind, for the matter of Caterina did take precedence within me. But, for the sake of not contemplating that which was unknown to me, I forced myself to think upon the werewolves; for I would not judge my sister less I know her own thoughts on such matters. Even then, I did doubt as to my ability to judge her anymore than I couldst admonish Bianca or Sabina if they did choose to do any wrong. Angry, I was at such behavior but I could not deny her as my sister for such she was.

The werewolves were, indeed, dangerously close to Volterra; for I had not been three leagues out when I didst come across them. If such creatures were truly at war with us, then were they planning an attack upon the very heart of my kinds world; the castle in Volterra? For I could see no other reason for them to come so near if they had peaceful intentions and not those of aggression since I took that part of Aro's words to be true.

It was not that I believed him to be false but, rather, that Aro's way of seeing events as they did unfolded differed greatly from my own. In this, it mayhap be our different choice of lifestyles since he still thought so little of human life and did treat most humans if they be pets and not the very substance from which we had all come. He took all life as a trivial affair, that which was around purely for amusement and not else; of this, did I not see since life was most precious to all and should be taken as the gift that it so dearly is. I had chosen to live my existence as a continuation of my life once I didst discover a goodly alternative to the taking of human blood, but Aro saw our existence as a mere curiosity, a play for those that had taken to be immortals to watch with good humor. Of this, did I not agree for I didst agree with Master Shakespeare, we were just as much players too as any other creature upon the stage and I intended to play my part most fully as I could.

My thoughts once again ventured to the werewolves, and where they did fit upon this stage for they were creatures most unnatural – as my father were to say often- as my own kind were. They must have creation stories of their own as to how they came to be that I very much would enjoy to hear for I had heard little of our own. None did seem to know of what the first vampire was or how he came to be for none had met any that be elderly enough to know. The oldest known of my kind had lived in a time when the pyramids of Egypt did rise and knew much of human history but knew not of our own for he did not pry into such matters since they matter to him not.

Some, I did hear, claim us to come from demons and hence our preying upon those that we once were but I thought that not possible; for it demons didst we come then demons would we be not still? This I could not believe to be for a demon didst give up his soul so that he might act contrary to God's word and I never in word nor deed did give my soul up to any but God. No, demons we were not and could not have come from.

Others have traced our ancestry back unto time a good many eons only to find no beginning to our existence. From whence we came was a mystery that I wouldst try to decipher for a bit of sport myself.

Were the werewolf stories much the same or didst they differ greatly in their development? Had they knowledge of whence they came and thereby no confusion as to their purpose? But, even with that, there would be confusion for many an hour in my human life did I ponder upon my purpose within God's plan upon this earth and for what I was to do; it be only now that I believed I did have some insight into such and will continue my works as a doctor for as long as I may be able, for to help others gives me great joy.

In such thoughts did I occupy my time until dusk did come and I was to be off for Dr. Gagliardo's once again. I picked up a few books from my desk that I wouldst take with me so that I might study whilst I stayed in his office; if I might have the chance to do so. The smallpox was still running quite rampant through the city and, as such, we did have nightly calls often for us to check upon many patients. It made my heart heavy that not all would be cured from this vile disease that claimed both good and evil indiscriminately, for not all made it even with a doctor's care. Those that could not afford a doctor fared even worse for they had no money for portions or any else but food and shelter.

Given that I did not need money for such things, I wondered if I might use the money I did keep safe to help those that could not do so themselves. It was of little matter to me since I but kept a savings for my trip to the Americas which could easily be delays a good many years. Instead, my money might go to some good now and save what I could of life rather than that of a dream for the far future. Resolved, I put a little extra within my purse to that I might stop by the apothecary for some more of potions in which to deliver to those that may be in need of such.

Leaving the walls of the castle, did I feel much at peace; for though no answers had come in my questioning neither did I expect them. I had merely organized my thoughts in way that I allowed myself to understand them and to not be so bothered by them. The world was simply the way it was and it was not for me to question it but only to help in what ways I could.

So did I head towards the apothecary when I didst hear an odd sound from behind myself. I thought little of it since many still be out upon the streets given that the sun hath just set below the horizon. It sounded much like a muffled scream but when I turned to look, I saw none. Thus did I buy a good many potions that did ease the pain of the pox and might be useful in its treatment so that those that could not afford my services or that of Dr. Gagliardo might indeed still have some benefit from what I hath learned.

Turning to the street on which his house laid, I felt something amiss but did not see as much as sense something precarious around me. I quickly rapped upon the door and smiled in greeting to Sabina who didst answer again. "Good evening, Carlisle!" she told me in her fine Italian tongue as she stood beside to let me pass by.

"Good evening, Sabina," I smiled as I removed my hat so that I might enter in a polite fashion. "How fares you and your family?" I asked her; worried that one of the children, the Doctor, or his goodly wife might have taken ill.

"Quite well, now," she said and then blushed as her words took on a meaning that she did not wish of me to hear. Her infatuation with me was still quite strong though it would pass with time.

Down the stairs, Bianca hopped in her petticoats and stays, grinning as she did, though she did not hop down quickly to greet me for her brother, Paulo, the eldest, held her hand. Paulo nodded once to me, he be nearly a man of sixteen now and had started as an apprentice to the apothecary rather than follow his father. Dr. Gagliardo saw no harm in this for an apothecary was a goodly profession and wouldst give him enough comfort that he may continue to live in such station as he had been born into. It may be but a year or two till he doth take over for the position.

Turning to Sabina, Paulo raised his hand that he joined with Bianca in such to hand the small child over. "Watch her. Mother holds her head and Lavinia and Andrea still need to finish their lessons," Paulo instructed as Sabina returned his command with a look of horror.

"Twas your turn in which to watch her," Sabina informed him, stealing a glance towards me. I kept my laughter to myself for her advances had little effect upon myself though she wished quite differently.

"Father has need of me to go to the apothecary for Mother's head," Paulo stated, his anger growing with his sister. I knew well of Elizabetta's propensity for aliments of the head and believed that best quite voices, cool water, and ease be around her. She would need none of her children to fight.

"I shall take Bianca," I told Paulo whilst I reached for the little one's hand. Bianca's face lit up at such suggestion and readily reached for my hand with her free one, glad to have her own time with me; for how she did ignore her elder sister's scowling, I knew not.

"Thank you, Carlisle," Paulo said unto me, much relieved. He quickly grasped his cloak and hat to venture out and something did tell of me to stop him. I did place my hand upon his shoulder and looked upon the much younger man to warn him.

"Travel safely, Paulo, for there be an ill wind tonight," I told unto him. He did nod at my words, give a passing glare to Sabina, and take his leave by the front door of the house.

For the better part of the next hour did I sit with Bianca and have her learn her letters. Sabina sat upon a chair nearby, as prettily as she could, hoping to attract my attention but I simply didst smile at her and say nothing but that out of necessity to her. Lavinia and Andrea came down a few minutes after their brother Paulo did take his leave to further study in a different room, or so they did tell unto me. I didst think that it were not so much the change in location that they wished for as much as to antagonize their sister and foul up her hopes of having any time unescorted with myself. It mattered little to me what their reasoning be since I thought to have all the children away from their mother, where she did lie in pain from her head, wouldst help Elizabetta's head a good bit more. Also, in truth to myself, I enjoyed having such as these children about me for it did make me feel welcome within their home but also I did play with the idea, again, of having a family such as this for myself though I knew it not possible. I could not have children nor would I create them such as Lettice. Though if I were to turn one at an age such as Paulo, one who was more man than child and had the thoughts of truly becoming a man, then mayhaps…

I heard the sounds of the clock tower, far of yet from the house, and realized the hour. Paulo should have been home long before now and yet he had not returned. Gently, I place Bianca, who didst sit upon my lap while reciting her letters, down next to her brother Andrea for I did wish to see if I could find any clue that might show me where Paulo might have gone to. Did he tarry at the inn? This seemed not like him when his mother was ill upstairs and his father did wait for him. I looked unto Sabina and she smiled brightly till she took in my own visage. "Watch your sisters and your brother, Sabina. I shall inform your father than I have gone to look for Paulo," I told her. She meekly nodded and took from her chair to take a place with the rest of her siblings, for though she might argue with her brother, she would not argue with the target of her affections.

I took to the stairs and did as quietly as I might knock upon the door to what I assumed be Dr. Gagliardo and his wife's room based upon the smell that did come from it. I heard a quite "Enter" followed by a groan. Dr. Gagliardo looked surprised when it was my head that peeked around the door, wishing to disturb Elizabetta no more than necessary, for I would never wish to cause anyone undue pain.

"I will go to look for Paulo for I believe him to have tarried at the inn. I shall bring him back anon," I informed him as quietly as I was able but still audible to his human ears. Dr. Gagliardo nodded and mouthed a "Grazie" to me. I quickly removed myself from the door and closed it as quietly as was possible so that I would distress the woman no further. Raced down the stairs I did since none were to see me and grabbed my cloak and hat. I went to hurriedly exit the door, remembering only just to tell Sabina to bolt the door. "Let none but myself or your brother in while your father takes watch over your mother, understand?" I asked of her.

"I shall await your return, Carlisle," Sabina told me, blushing, as she closed the door behind me. With that, did I take off towards the apothecary but found not Paulo's scent there.

I followed the path back to the house in hopes that I might pick it up and found where he did go and take his leave from his errand. His path, when I did find it, took him not to the inn nor to any but a small alley betwixt two of the homes along the street not more than a few dozen yards from his house. I followed it though it be a place unfit for any human to have taken refuge in at night due to its lack of light and easily concealed hiding places; I did have advantages that were not existent in humans within the dark such as this. It was then, halfway down the ally I took in another familiar smell of sugar, apples, and spice and shock took over my form for such a smell did belong to Lettice.

My mind quickly went through many scenarios in which Paulo might have been lured into Lettice's reach and none did end well. I knew not how long I stood but only came out of my many thoughts revolving around Paulo's capture by the pretty little girl when a pair of arms encircled me and a mass of multi-colored metallic looking hair rested beneath my chin briefly. Caterina looked back up at me and I noticed Felix not far from her either but neither looked as joyful or as playful as my memory does recall them.

"How did you know to come here, Carlisle?" Caterina asked, her voice soft. I remembered not her greeting but thought that she must have made one and Felix as well.

"Paulo is Dr. Gagliardo's son. He was to go to the apothecary," I stated, my voice sounding without much life to my own ears. Both vampires before me took in such information with different expressions upon their visages; Felix looked nearly thoughtful but as if it were an unnecessary piece of information I did give him. Caterina's eyes betrayed her before she could fully control her face to regain a mask like quality for the sadness showed through with such force I did question if she took it far worse than I.

"We shall find him, Carlisle," she whispered, placing a hand in comfort upon my arm. I did cover her hand with my own in thanks, "Yes, we shall."

"You will come with us?" Felix asked, his voice sounding a mix of both joy and frustration. Mayhap he knew not if I would be helpful or slow such an expedition down but I knew of but two things for myself; I had to find Paulo to deliver him home and I was not capable of doing such myself when up against an immortal child.

Author's Note: Yea! Lettice is back! Those immortal children are evil, I tell ya! :-) I really hope y'all like this chapter. If you like it, please tell me. Thanks!