In the Grip of Twilight
By: Olivia Tannis Moore
Chapter Twelve:
The Uncloaking
Carlisle and I walked behind Elena and Edward as we made our way up to Carlisle's study. It wasn't so bad this time—watching Elena drape herself over Edward—I felt I was being noble for the cause. That, and I knew Edward wasn't enjoying it. It had thrilled me when he told Elena that I was his Chosen One. It had such a nice chivalrous sound to it. The thing I loved most about the Vampires—and perhaps it was just the Cullens themselves—was their eloquence. Eloquence of language, movement, music, and Edward had more than his rightful share.
Carlisle left the three us in his study for a moment before coming back with a large parchment envelope. "You will not have seen this before—or heard about it," he told Elena. "I guess it's about time I shared it with your father and the rest of the Volturi—if he wishes."
"You've withheld important information, Dr. Cullen. How do you think my father will react to that? Do you think he's going to pat you on the back and say 'Good job'?"
Carlisle untied the length of thin rope that secured the envelope. "This information was entrusted to me by the Chinook indigenous people. I wouldn't share it with you if it weren't absolutely necessary…no matter what name your family goes by. "
Elena smiled superiorly, yet said nothing.
Carlisle motioned for us to have a seat around his desk. Edward sat between me and Elena, as Elena would have it no other way. Carlisle stared at the envelope in his hands and then sighed heavily before opening it and removing the contents. "I made these translations almost two centuries ago from the Chinook stone tablets." He slid the yellowing papers across the desk to Elena. She seemed indifferent as she picked it and read it.
"What is this?" she asked mockingly, "some kind of Lycan family tree?"
"You could say that," Carlisle said. "Yours is in there as well."
She tossed the papers onto the desk. "That's blasphemous."
Carlisle's smile was tight-lipped. "Without the scientific data to back it up, you're right, it would be blasphemous." He leaned back into his chair and folded his hands together. "Two years after I translated the stone tablets, I went on an expedition of sorts. For eighteen months I searched for the elusive creature the stones spoke of, the one they call the Forgotten, deep in mountainous terrain." He laughed dryly. "You can't imagine my surprise when I actually found him—this wise, old, cantankerous creature."
Carlisle looked to Edward, "You must have seen the same thing I saw…a creature that was not entirely Lycan—as we know them."
Edward nodded. "That's how I identified him, that and the red ring around his gold eyes. The black-tattooed cross under each eye…"
I had not seen the same details as Edward, but then, it was dark. But more importantly, I'd never seen a Lycan to compare the creatures.
"Yes," Carlisle agreed. "That's unique only to the Forgotten. The Lycans don't carry those traits and neither do we."
"I don't like where this is going," Elena snarled.
"Let me finish," Carlisle said. It was almost a whisper. "I came back with my specimens, and performed the tests. That's when I found the common DNA strain that ties us with the Lycans."
Elena's chin went up. "Are you saying that we're related to the Lycans through the Forgotten? That the Forgotten is our original father as well?"
"I am."
Elena sneered. "Well, I can't believe that. Over a thousand years of history says you're wrong. You're trying to destroy everything we've created with your passivism. My father will see right through you."
"The proof is in the vault, Adeloni," Carlisle replied
I looked questioningly at Edward. "'Adeloni'" is her priestess name," he whispered.
Elena gave me a look of warning, which I interpreted as the name was off-limits to me.
"So, now that you know," Carlisle said, "how soon can we call a meeting with the Volturi?"
"Oh, I wouldn't want to be too hasty if I were you," Elena replied. "We have our own way of getting to the truth."
***
(Reminder: I'm not updating tomorrow, but I'll continue on Monday. And as always, thanks for reading and have a very loved Valentines Day! Be Safe ---OTM)