*** This story contains some mild language, suspense, romance, and some frightening images and situations—13 and older, please.
In the Grip of Twilight
By:
Olivia Tannis Moore
Chapter Fifty Three:
Week One, Day Three
Deafness
Just as Muriel had predicted, we encountered no problems going back through the tunnel system. Demetri stopped by his room to change his tattered uniform before we hurried back to my room. But we had been in my room for no more than fifteen minutes when there was a knock at the door.
I quickly hid Thaddeus' book under one of the pillows on the bed and then Demetri answered the door.
It was Marcus informing Demetri that Aro wished to see him. He peered around Demetri's broad shoulder to gaze at me with his maroon-colored eyes. "I hope you weren't disturbed by all the commotion?"
I shrugged. "Demetri has put all my fears to rest," I told him.
"Good…good," he said absentmindedly. Then he looked to Demetri. "Aro will see you in his quarters," he said as he turned away.
Demetri closed the door behind him.
My eyes grew wide. You don't think he knows where we've been…
Demetri shook his head. Aro just wants a report of the night's activities. Those three don't get involved—they're just the puppet masters. They sit back and let their guard do all the work.
But what will you tell him? You weren't there for half the night.
Demetri smiled. I know enough to fill in the vacancies. Besides, he wants to know if my strategies worked—if we suppressed the Lycan attack—and what I plan on doing about securing the underground. For all his cunning, he's still a transparent creature of habit.
He straightened and looked sternly at me. I'll replace the lock and chains on Thaddeus' bookcase on the way down to meet with Aro. Hopefully they won't have found that yet.
It was worth the risk, I said, defending my actions.
Honestly, Bella…I don't know how I feel about everything we learned tonight. I haven't had a spare moment to absorb it all.
I sat wearily on the side of the bed. I know… I haven't either. It seems so fantastical. My role in this just keeps getting bigger and bigger…and what if I can't…what if I let everybody down? I looked up into his face. Two weeks ago, I was nobody, and it seemed like I was always letting someone down."
He smiled wistfully. You can't be all things to all people, Bella. If I can accept that…so can you.
I knew he was talking about us, then, and that seemed to make me sadder. I nodded slowly.
He looked down at the floor between us. After I meet with Aro, I'll contact Edward. Aro will have to welcome him and his family now that the antidote is working. I imagine Edward will be elated, he said, unable to hide his resentment.
I ignored his tone out of pity. I want to be there, when you contact Edward, I mean. I'd like to hear his voice…if you don't mind.
He looked at me strangely. I don't think you understand…
Understand what?
He truly looked as if it pained him to tell me.
What? I asked again.
He looked away as he told me. That's a gift you'll never have…this telepathy, if you want to call it that. Edward's venom courses through your veins…you're deaf to one another.
**
After Demetri left, I curled up on the bed. I should've realized that there would be drawbacks to my bonding with Edward. I should've remembered that Carlisle, as the father of Edward, couldn't converse with him in that way.
It was just a mild disappointment, that's all, I told myself. Nothing compared to what we did share.
But I couldn't help but think of the all the times I heard Demetri's deep, melodic voice in my head, our conversations private and exclusive. How many times had I thrilled in anticipation of speaking with Edward in that fashion?
I gripped the pillow under my head. No one could read my thoughts. Yet, I could carry on a conversation with anyone receptive enough to do the same. Anyone…everyone…except the one person I wanted to connect with the most…
**
Demetri was back within the hour. I opened the door and he walked in briskly.
He seemed tense. Is there something wrong? I asked, holding my breath. There were so many things that could go wrong at this point. Anyone could've found the lock and chains on the floor of the Chamber of Knowledge…Thaddeus' book missing. Or maybe the antidote had failed and Edward wasn't coming—my mind was going wild.
I spoke to Edward. The Cullens will be on their way to Volterra tomorrow—but it wasn't because of you or me calling them here…
What other reason could there be? I asked.
Demetri grunted sarcastically. It appears I spoke too soon. Aro still has a few surprises up his sleeve. He put his hands on his hips and shook his head in disbelief. He's assembling his army. He's called all the vampires to Volterra. Damn Lycans and their underground invasion have given him the perfect reason for a war. I guess I don't need to tell you what failure would mean…
I gasped. Like a prophesy, Muriel's words from earlier echoed in my head.
Demetri sighed heavily. If you want to know what's written in Thaddeus' book, I've got to get to work right now. God knows there won't be any spare time once the army starts arriving.
***
(Note: It will be impossible for me to update tomorrow. It'll be Wednesday at the earliest, or Friday at the latest before I'm able to add the next chapter. Thanks for reading. OTM)