Aurora

Disclaimer: I only wish Carlisle was mine. He's so cute.

Summary: During the later part of the 17th century, Carlisle Cullen studied in Italy and came across the Volturi. How did they take to his dietary choice? What secrets does he learn while around them and what other creatures are there that might be more terrifying than the monster he has become?

Author's Note: Squee! Another review! Thank you Your Misanthropic Humanitarian!

Chapter 13

Once again I found myself outside the walls of the city running towards the forest that hid so many secrets, for it was another wall that lay before Volterra though far more penetrable. The trees were not like the tall oaks of my homeland nor were all short in stature but of a great range in heights I noticed as we ran. The ragged edges of the mountains on which Volterra lay hidden in their valley loomed before us when we didst slow.

Caterina stopped and took a deep breath for to smell the air around us and didst growl. Such a sound from my sister did startle me for, though it be a sound one might expect form a vampire, it was not a sound I expected from one such as Caterina. She looked towards a southerly direction and then back to the north. "She had help but has taken the boy towards Ponsano," she informed both myself and Felix, her voice more like that of a soldier than that of a woman.

Turning toward Felix, she nodded towards the North and he did look from her to the direction she gestured too. "Altra Anna est," Caterina told him as the Latin easily rolled of her tongue. Many times have I seen a woman walk by Felix and many times have I resisted the urge to force him to be more respectful towards the weaker sex but of this time did he look more humble upon her. Mayhaps with her abilities, we are the weaker sex for, if Aro's words be true, then any physical strength, of which Felix clearly had much of, be meaningless in her presence.

Felix nodded at her and did bow before his departure over to the mountains edge that he would easily climb upon and follow. Caterina turned unto me, her visage a mask though I saw a speck of an unknown humor in her eyes, and gently moved towards me, her petticoats hardly rustling against the ground. "We shall find him and bring him home," said she kindly as her hand gently found it's way to my upper arm. "Please Carlisle, I beg of thee to listen to me for when we do find Paulo, it may be his body only that we find," her voice said softly though her face was still that of a mask. All but her face sounded and felt like that of my sister; her face was that of a commander.

"I will do my best to be guided by thine wisdom, Caterina," I didst inform her truthfully. Gently she squeezed my arm in response and nodded, for then did she give to her more militaristic nature as if it be kinderly to her though I knew it not of her nature. I would endeavor to ask her about such military training, as she most assuredly had given her current ways, when all was well and safe again; for a woman soldier was most rare though I did think that I had heard many a story of female knights from nearly two hundred years prior to my birth. Had Caterina been one of them? I knew not her exact age for no man should question a lady upon such things but based upon her speech and by what she had said, I did guess her to be of the later part of the Italian Renaissance; a time when freedom and indulgence were the way of life. She carried that air of freedom, that need for simple indulgence with her when she was not thusly occupied by the need to fight other supernatural creatures.

Quickly, she led the way to a small village nearly four leagues out of Volterra's walls. Though it be a good distance, a day's travel for most humans if laden with a carriage, we reached the village in a matter of minutes in our run. As she slowed, she came to stand before me. "This be the village of Ponsano. It doth lay under our protection as many of the other villages within 5 leagues of the clock tower do," she informed me. Gently, placing her hands upon my shoulders as if to calm me, her mask fell and I saw the sadness clear upon her visage. "I will handle Lettice when we come upon her. Find Paulo and take him home. Do not turn back no matter what you may hear. I will come to Dr. Gagliardo's soon as Lettice is dealt with. Of this doth thee understand?" she asked.

I struggled within myself for my need as a brother to protect his sister warred with my word that I would listen unto all that Caterina did instruct of me. I was the man, the stronger, physically, of the two of us, and yet my sister, the weaker sex, did wish to fight whilst I fled. But two things did decided this internal struggle for me; firstly that Felix did so willingly obey her and he be a man of strength greater than myself, and secondly that I had seen with my own eyes prior that Caterina couldst restrain the child Lettice. Given this though, I could not full free myself from by obligations at her brother to protect her. "If thou doth not return an hour after I hath left, I will not restrain myself to come after thee," I told her. To this, did she smile and kiss me upon my cheek as any sister might in gratitude, though such affection wouldst make me blush if I be still human.

Turning towards the village, Caterina took a deep breath and motioned for me to follow her since she found the path Lettice had taken towards it. The sweet smell of sugar and apples took me and I couldst follow it easily to the main gate of the village and a poorly lit street. A lantern hung from an old store sign with a dying candle within it, giving just flickers of light to the dirt road which we followed. Caterina paused, placing her hand upon my chest without looking backwards so as to stop me. Raising the said hand, she placed her finger upon her lips so that I might know not make a sound as we both silently approached a beaten path betwixt two houses within the village's center.

As we silently, but quickly, drew closer into between the simple homes, I couldst barely hear a slurping sound and knew immediately what it was. My instincts overcame me and I wished to scream, to run to Lettice and demand an answer for her actions while knowing that such answers as those that I hoped to hear wouldst never come. Anger boiled within me for though Paulo was not one I knew well, he was the son of my mentor, one whom I considered a friend. For any pain to come to Dr. Gagliardo, especially in the form of murder such as this, was unbearable to me, but Caterina held me back firmly with a strength I knew not that she had. She drew her face close to my ear and whispered as low as she were able unto to me, "Take him home, Carlisle." With that, did she let me go and the depth of her meaning did take me, for though no heartbeat could we hear, I would need to take his body home so that his family might have something in which to bury.

Caterina's eyes searched mine and must have found something there for in less than a blink of a human's eye did she whisk away and grasp Lettice who was well and hidden behind a small bit of wooden stairs. Lettice screamed as Caterina ripped her from the pale body that dropped to their feet with a dull thud upon the dirt ground. I could hardly hear the "Go" from Caterina's lips as she gestured to Paulo's remains lying in shallow pools of his own blood.

Gingerly, I approached the body of the young man and cradled it within my arms as well I might. Softly, I cursed myself for though I had much want of it, I couldst not cry over such a horrible sight given that I was more akin to Lettice in body than to any human. I didst still hold hope that my soul was more akin to that of Paulo's so that I might someday still find my rest in Paradise if I were to ever leave this plane of existence. With a look to Caterina, her beautiful face a mask but her eyes aflame with a fiery that was near palatable in the air around us, I turned and headed off, ignoring my own fury and the flames I could not quench within my throat for I couldst smell Paulo's blood. I held my breath rather than dare to even think of lapping up the blood that still did drip from the small bite upon his throat for such thoughts disgusted me and reminded me of the monster I truly was.

I did run for what felt a great deal longer than I knew it to be as I carried Paulo's body back to his home so that he might be laid to rest eternally. I knew not of what I wouldst say unto the good doctor nor to that of his goodly wife who wouldst now be so distraught with grief that her physical pain of earlier wouldst seem as nothing, I was sure. To lose a child, there was no greater pain from what I had seen and I was glad that I knew of it not.

My thoughts were consumed by the young man and the hope that my sister would be well for I could take no more pain than that which has already come to me by Paulo's death and the grieving of which was to come by the Gagliardo family. I set my mind that I wouldst see Caterina again for Lettice could not free herself from my sister's grasp and that all would be well with Caterina. None other than this wouldst I accept within my mind as I ran.

I did not slow until I was just at the edge of the woods outside of the city, and then I still moved a quick human pace, glad that none seemed to be out upon this ill night so late. I reached the Gagliardo's home with far more than simply a heavy heart for I wished not to bring the news that I did, for what more could I tell them than that their eldest son, their heir, was dead?

I knocked up the door as I stood before it whilst Paulo's body lay in my arms as if it be but a feather. Grieved was I over him for this should not have been the way in which any should hath to die and not yet so soon for he had a goodly life before him. If I had moved more quickly, if I had gone to the apothecary and let him to Bianca, then wouldst he still live? Wouldst his heart still beat within his chest if I had taken my earlier instincts into account and not allowed him out upon this ill night? But I had no foreknowledge that the night be this ill for how many times had he not gone to the apothecary prior to this in the capacity of his apprenticeship? Though this I knew, it did not alleviate my guilt that I had placed upon myself for such was part of my grief.

The door did not open but a voice came through it. "Who is it?" a tired voice called that I recognized as Sabina's. I was grateful she did listen to me earlier and did not open the door immediately for I knew not if the immortal boy be out as well; though no door would stop him, it would delay him well enough for others to catch him I hoped. "'Tis Carlisle, Sabina. Open the door, please," I asked of her, sadness thick upon my voice.

Her face was radiant when the door was pulled open until she recognized that of which I carried in my arms. Then all I did recognize was her scream, loud as any I hath ever heard and painful to my soul for it was a cry of both grief and of horror at the sight before her. Dr. Gagliardo came running down the stairs as quick as he was able, furnishing his longsword and pistol till he did see me as well. His face fell immediately upon the sight of his son as I did slowly enter the house and close the door with my foot. The good Doctor wrapped his arms around his daughter who was near hysterics, tears streaming freely down both their faces.

I said nothing for there was nothing to say. I took Paulo into the room in which Laura had rested when she did pass not but a few weeks prior for I knew not where else to place him. I knew that the Doctor and Sabina followed for Sabina's sobs were audible behind me as I placed her brother upon the bed and brushed back his hair so that his face be visible. I turned to the two behind me, not knowing what next to do nor knowing how best to comfort those that so badly needed it.

"What took place?" Dr. Gagliardo did but barely manage to state, forcing his daughter to wail louder. I was not sure of how to answer this for to say that vampires existed in Volterra was treason above all and wouldst not be tolerated but how else to explain the bite marks, the loss of blood that was so clearly present upon his shirt and in the air to me. My grief and guilt were far stronger than my temptation to take of his blood, especially now that the blood was dying and not as fresh as it had been when didst I first place him upon my arms.

"He was attacked," I said, my voice sounding dead unto my own ears. I had to look away from Sabina and Dr. Gagliardo for no more pain couldst I take while still so much did I wait for. Caterina was still out there and I would remain strong as I was able until she was but at an arm's length from me and well within my sight for I should not have left her.

"I am sorry. I was too late," I told the Doctor as I pulled myself to the desk, clutching it almost too tightly. I couldst not leave my imprint upon it for too much would be asked and I dared not to disappoint Aro nor myself for I had no wish to leave the family's company; especially upon this night.

All was quite but the two heartbeats and Sabina's sobs from behind me for a few minutes. "I shall inform Elizabetta and take …Sabina to her room," Dr. Gagliardo said into the room as I made no motion to look at him. I felt his hand upon my shoulder. "Grazie for bringing him home," he didst hardly get out before new tears streamed down his face. I dared not to tell him that I should not hath left him to leave his home to begin with for none would be in this current state. Rather, I nodded at let them both leave as I turned to the body.

Seeing Paulo lie there, still, lifeless, cold and his own blood soaked into his clothing reminded me too much of what I was for I was a monster. It were but one of my own kind that did this murderous act and stole a child away from his parents, a brother away from his siblings, a life and a soul. In this thought did I have to leave this room, to get away from the reminder that I was not human and I was as cold, dead, but not lifeless as Paulo indeed was.

I walked slowly down the hall back towards the door so that I might sit upon the steps in my thoughts. Another image assailed me as I walked to turn upon the steps and came to see my own visage reflected in a mirror upon the wall. The mirror was small but well for such things could still command a princely sum though they were becoming more common. I stared at my own reflection and saw what I needed to see for my eyes were gold, that which set me apart from the others –my diet- did also physically change me. My soul was not stained with the blood of innocents and nor would it ever be. My own eyes would show the evidence of this resolve.

Still grieved but not as heavily burdened was I for I knew myself to be different, I took my seat upon the stairs awaiting Caterina though every muscle in my body wished to go to her anon. As I pondered going to her prior to the hour being up, I did smell the sweet smell of strawberries and sweet cream pour through the air. I stood before she was able to knock upon the door, for I already knew it to be my sister.

Swinging the door open, my heart felt both gladness at her sight and grief over Paulo at the same time. I quickly looked upon her dress and saw not a tear, her scarlet cloak had but a small hole upon it and some soot but no injuries did I see. "Art thou hurt?" I asked of her as I took her arm to see if Lettice did bite her or in any other way injure her.

Caterina did attempt to smile at that though her eyes held a great sadness. "She did not harm me, Carlisle," her soft warm voice spoke prior to her arms wrapping me. I heard her dry sobs and held her tight, my humors both good and ill conflicting and wishing only to comfort my sister till I knew which humor might win over me. As her sobs did quite, I heard another scream from the top of the stairs and glanced at from whom it might have come. There stood Sabina, already grieved, and I knew of what sight she saw; my arms around another woman in comfort as she wished I might comfort her I did suppose. What she could not understand was that I would gladly give her comfort if she wished for no more than that.

At this scream did the rest of the house awake and now I clearly heard Elizabetta's own sobs. Sabina stood in shock at the top of the stairs whilst the rest of the children came out to see. I kept my arm around Caterina's shoulders for she did not cry more but looked up upon the girl above us. As the children gathers, Lavinia, Andrea, and little Bianca, it were the youngest that did approach us and reach for me to pick her up. Somehow, I managed a small smile and picked up the little girl, terrified at how the others would take the news that their eldest sibling was now gone, for such news I wouldst have to impart onto them.

Bianca looked to Caterina, whom I kept my arm around as soon as Bianca be in my other arm. "Bianca? Children?" I asked as I looked to the rest of them, I hoped Sabina wouldst stay so that she might know the truth. Her faces paled as I called upon those at the top of the stairs children but made no motion to leave for which I was glad. "This is my sister, Caterina, who did help me to find your brother tonight," I informed them as color did slightly return to Sabina visage at the word "sister" for of this she knew Caterina was no rival.

"Where is Paulo, Carlisle?" Lavinia asked as Bianca offered a small smile to Caterina. I thought of how best to answer this for I knew not and believed that their parents may wish to inform the rest of the children but I had not time to think of any answer for Sabina didst reply.

"Paulo is dead," Sabina stated so coldly that the rest of the children looked upon her in shock until they all began to cry. Little Bianca curled up against my neck as tears freely fell to soak my shirt. Such words were true, Paulo was dead but to say us such, to be informed of such, was not the way that these should remember their brother. I heard another wail, this from Elizabetta, and with that, Caterina and I gathered the children in the living room in which they couldst grieve away from their parents until such time was right for all to be together again.

Author's Note: Another depressing chapter, sorry! I will add some slightly humorous ones in the next couple of weeks, I swear. After all, the children of the moon are still about and we can't have our dear Carlisle out there with so much danger, now can we?