Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Stephenie Meyer created it all. I'm just so grateful she allows us to play around with her characters.
A/N: Okay, so this is where I admit to being an idiot. I just got an iPhone and in learning to play on it…I erased all my pending review alerts. I attempted to go into my trash list, and let's just say it wasn't pretty. I AM SO SORRY for not replying to reviews. I'll be better this time. PROMISE!
As such…I couldn't respond to those that wanted the Jacob piece that was chunked. I've included it below the Beta credits (totally un-betaed). Somehow it felt appropriate to put it below Charles' credit. SNARK!
By the way, he already has the next chapter to correct. Harass him if you want it quickly. Didyme and Marcus up next.
I have to apologize for the long time in posting. I have two explanations. First, I am attempting to conclude Unloved Unwanted for you, but I do still feel the need to post to the other two fics I'm concurrently writing. Secondly, my life has been incredibly busy the last week or so – in a good way. For those of you who know my situation, I'm happy to say that my family was privileged enough to finalize the adoption of my youngest two children on April 11th. I want to personally thank the Tlingit tribe of Alaska for all their help in navigating the negotiations to approve a cross-tribal process.
Bella POV
When the final chunk of Vladimir or Stefan (it was impossible to tell which at this time) fell apart, it was as if a tremendous weight was lifted from my shoulders. I wanted to shout to the star-lit heavens. Edward's warm body pressed at my side, and it was all I could do to not throw him over my shoulders and run for…somewhere. God, I wanted him so bad, but the dark circles under his eyes told me that we had another priority first. Surprisingly, I smelled deer close by. My nose wrinkled at the smell, but I knew I'd tear the animal's throat out myself if it meant that Edward would find nourishment.
Several of the guard members stirred and began to clean up the last of the mess. Excited noises began to buzz around us as the realization sank in that we'd won without major casualties. Marcus caught my attention, and dragging Edward with me, I lunged toward him. He was standing by Didyme, and it was apparent that he was struggling not to pull her to him for a passionate embrace. He glanced up at me and the smile that broke across his face was blinding. I barely let go of Edward's hand before I threw myself into his arms. I started giggling and couldn't stop and soon his laughter joined mine echoing across the courtyard. I wrapped my arms around his waist and squeezed softly before I stepped back a few feet. I was met with a black-eyed gaze from Didyme. I groaned inwardly. I hadn't thought how my hug might have looked to her. She was his mate, and I'd wrapped my arms around him in a familiar way.
"OH…" I squeaked. "I'm sorry. I didn't think. He's just…special to me," I said to her, hoping to render an appropriate apology. But I was glad to see she was jealous; it was something for Marcus to work from.
"You've met my husband, Edward," I said indicating my mate at my side. Her eyes widened at the fact that he was my husband, and then her eyes narrowed on Edward slightly. "I'm Isabella, your niece," I said, calling on my relationship to her. I continued to uncharacteristically blather on. "Do I get to call you Aunt Didyme, or just Didyme?"
The black pupils receded slowly in her eyes, and the barest trace of a smile ghosted across her lips. Marcus leaned over as if he was going to tell her a secret. "Darling, Uncle Marcus just doesn't sit right with me. It makes me feel old."
From just a few feet away, Aro snickered out something along the line of Marcus being old as dirt, but we ignored him. Didyme's eyes rounded out at her husband's words, but I knew it was the "Darling" that had her trembling. A nuclear explosion was going to have nothing on them when he could work through her defenses. I'd thought going without sex for eighteen years had been hard. Poor Marcus. He'd make her forget about the things that they'd done to her, one way or another.
She tore her eyes away from him and finally spoke to me a little stiffly, but not as coldly as I thought her voice would carry. "Didyme is just fine."
I knew that there was more significance than I knew to what she'd just said. The glance between her and Edward confirmed that, and I was determined to learn more from him later.
"Edward, I can't…" Marcus began to speak and then stopped, choking up on his emotions.
"Marcus, as if there was ever a question." He half-smiled. "It seems that we were destined to save each other's mates, does it not?"
I wanted to kiss Edward again right then as he'd effectively taken away any embarrassment for Marcus, but I was afraid that we'd end up on the cobblestones again. Didyme watched Marcus' face hungrily as he smiled, and I saw him reach his hand over in permission. She shook slightly in hesitation, but then slowly laced her fingers into his.
"Marcus, why don't you and Didyme go? We can finish up here."
"I don't plan to return to Volterra for a very long time after we leave, Edward," Marcus said staring down into Didyme's face. "It would probably be more expedient for us to stay here and finish what must be done." He squeezed her hand slightly. "Darling?" he asked permission.
Marcus' use of the endearment "Darling" was amazingly seductive. I saw the slow emergence of Didyme's lover now, a man that had long been buried under grief and sadness. Damn …damn…damn… I loved that he immediately started giving her control and input into their decisions. Edward squeezed my hand gently, and it was then I realized I was gazing at the reunited lovers with a goofy grin on my face.
Didyme had been captured by Marcus' gaze and it took her a moment to answer.
"Marcus…" her voice trembled. She cleared her throat in a very human manner. "Yes…"
Aro stepped to my side and wrapped his arms around me. I squeezed back, putting my enthusiasm into the embrace. He chuckled and pushed a piece of hair behind my ear, while Sulpicia smiled at me from his side. He then looked to Edward with a measure of respect.
"Edward, I meant what I said to the Romanians; well done, son. Well done, indeed. It is exceedingly satisfying to know that our nemeses are no longer," he said speaking over my head to my husband.
Didyme's shocked gaze was now on my father and me. I suspected she'd never seen Aro in quite this manner.
"Your little warrior bride here refused to be dissuaded. When we have a few moments, I'll tell you more about her persistence," he said sincerely before releasing me.
Edward laughed at the word persistent. He certainly knew that quality in me. I stepped back into his embrace and turned quickly to nuzzle softly into his chest. I wanted a look at the scars that crisscrossed it, but I knew myself well. That would be something better left to our time alone. I wanted to lick each one and replace the feeling of desecration with adoration.
"Didyme, there's so much I want to say, but I don't know how to even begin…" Aro started to speak, but his sister placed trembling fingertips against his lips.
"Aro, they would have destroyed us all if I'd been allowed to follow my foolish course. I realized it too late, but I felt pride when I recognized your cunning. In effect, that decision alone saved us all. It took a thousand years to realize it, but it is done now. We will speak no more of it," she said emphatically. "Please," she begged.
I could tell that Aro wanted to wrap her in his embrace, but he was too aware of her skittishness. Instead, he moved his hand and placed his fingertips against hers. It was a simple caress, but spoke to the love between the two siblings.
"I'm not ready for my apology to be over yet, Didy. Marcus will have all the time he needs to restore your spirit so that you can take some of the skin off my back for this."
She grinned at him, and I took it that the teasing was something that was common to their relationship. Their fingertips remained pressed together at about chest height forming a steeple between them. No one dared to interrupt the silence between them, knowing that much was being spoken without words.
Our family had stepped to us, and as the siblings broke their contact, Carlisle quickly grabbed Aro's hand. It was an unprecedented caress, and I saw Aro's eyes rapidly blacken. Quickly pushing the shirtsleeve of Aro's tunic back, Carlisle traced over several vivid wounds with his fingertips.
"You've been wounded," Sulpicia gasped in shock. "Why didn't you say anything?" she grumbled at her husband.
He jerked his gaze away from the sight of Carlisle's fingertips on him to look at her, but the momentum only last a second before his attention was back on Carlisle. His other arm was inspected before Carlisle's gaze rose to him.
"Do you have any others?" he asked softly. It was clear that Carlisle was upset.
Mischief spread across Aro's face and then vicious delight. "A few, but I'll need privacy to show them to you."
Carlisle's face was a mixture of consternation and humor. "Edward, is he telling the truth, or just attempting to seduce me?"
"Yes, and yes," my husband answered, and we all burst out in laughter.
"Sulpicia, please come with me. I'll need your services," Carlisle murmured, pulling Aro behind him.
Our leader had the audacity to turn and wink suggestively back at us as his wife followed them across the courtyard.
Esme hissed at him. "Keep your hands to yourself, Aro. And lips, and toes…and any other body parts."
We all snickered as Aro's face fell, but then his mood lightened and he quipped back at her just before the castle doors closed. "You didn't mention my words or what Carlisle could or couldn't do."
Esme growled back at him, but it was half-hearted.
Caius beckoned for Jasper to step to his side and within a few minutes the pair took control, ordering the guard members to clean up the remains of the destroyed vampires and any marks of the brutal battle; humans could not be allowed to know what happened if they stumbled upon the ruins of the castle in the future. In short order, Caius and Jasper issued orders for each of us to complete in order to expedite our return to Volterra. I knew Edward wouldn't ask, so I did so for him.
"Caius, permission to search out the deer I smell first? Edward needs to feed."
He never even looked to me as he began to stride toward the castle. "Certainly, my dear." But then he spun and took the two of us in. "Make whatever 'nourishment' you find quick, or I'll come interrupt you, like I'm about to interrupt my brother." He smiled up at the castle when we heard a responding hiss.
My mouth dropped open at his insinuation, but then the deliciously naughty thought wormed into my mind and I couldn't get it out of my head. He was teasing me, I realized. I wasn't going to allow him to win.
"A quickie works for me," I said with a straight face. When the others turned to me in astonishment, I qualified. "Feeding, that is…" I acted as if I was clarifying. "I do believe that they have some livestock stored nearby."
Edward chuckled as I widened my eyes in mock innocence toward them, and then he began dragging me across the courtyard. "Come, Love. I know right where we can accomplish that quickie."
Entering a shed of sorts, the smell of the bleating animals overwhelmed me making me want to gag. Before I could comment on it though, Edward slammed me against the wall, his lips taking mine. I was immediately back to the level of passion I'd had when I was ready for him to make love to me in front of our family and friends. I moaned into his mouth when he opened and I tasted his venom. He leaned into me, and I growled feeling his hard cock nestled against me.
"I want you, right now," he hissed, having torn his lips from mine to kiss down my neck. He panted against my skin.
I moved my hands to his pants and he smiled against me. "Love, there is nothing I want more, but shouldn't we hold off? I want to make you scream, and I know that Caius will make good on his threat."
I huffed out, knowing he was right. "Damn."
"Exactly, my feelings…"
Forcing his fingers away from me, he allowed me to slide enticingly down his body to gain my footing. Looking to the locked cages, he went to stand before one that held a thrashing large buck. "I'd release the others, but I don't know if the rest of the family might want to feed before we start the journey back," he said.
He was going to need more than one, so when he opened the door and captured the crazed animal, I was already determining which one I would thrust at him next. But my attention was quickly ensnared by the sensual pleasure of seeing him hold the struggling animal to his lips. I'd never seen him in this manner. He was as elegant in this as he was in everything else. Visions of his teeth at my throat, biting into me, shot my previous level of lust spiking through the roof.
As the deer's heartbeat began to slow, I moved to a different cage and snagged another large male. If the Cullens didn't want the deer, the least I could do is release the females so that they could bear more offspring at some point in time. Edward grunted at me, attempting to communicate his plan to only take one, but I settled the argument quickly by holding my breath and biting into the animal's neck, opening up a flowing wound. The warm, tangy blood filled my mouth and the buck began pushing against me attempting to throw me off like a natural predator. The flavor of the blood was quite different from human blood; more earthy, and not nearly as appetizing. Although futile, the struggle it put up was arousing. Suddenly, I was caught up in the thrill of it all. Instinctually, my arms cinched around the animal tighter, holding it secure to me…humans didn't have it within them to fight this way. Heat radiated from the large mammal all along my front, and I lapped at the tangy liquid in equal parts curiosity and need. A strange thirst rose within me, it was part for the animal I held in my arms and part for the animal rapidly closing in on me.
Edward stepped to my back, and I felt the vibrations of his growling against me. Lust poured off him in waves, and his scent crashed over me making me dizzy. His hands placed pressure on my shoulders indicating he wanted me on my knees. I could imagine a few things I could do on my knees for him, to him, but my thoughts scattered as he followed me. A growl ripped out of me, and I realized it was that of a predator protecting its meal. I stilled, as did he, but somehow my behavior seemed to ramp up the sexual tension between us. Forget waiting. This was Edward, and it was a stinking deer. Tearing my teeth from the pulsing artery, I leaned back nuzzling him, brushing my tongue across his jaw. Lacing my fingers through his hair, I leaned back over the animal, pulling him with me. I grunted in pleasure when he latched his teeth into the deer's throat. Against my back and shoulder, I could feel the deep swallows he took, as I drank the palatable, if not totally pleasing, blood. Venom raced through me and electricity spiked across my skin when Edward's hands slipped between us to cup my breasts through the thick black Nomex material of the shirt. His thumbs brushed over my nipples, and I moaned into the animal's throat. I twisted against him, brushing my ass against the thick erection I could feel through his pants. Warm rich blood continued to pour down my throat, as I was pressed in between the warm body of the deer and my thoroughly aroused mate.
He caressed me, tugging at my nipples as he rocked against me. The ache between my legs turned into a need so strong that I was ready to start begging. I cried softly into the fur when his hands reached for the snaps of my pants.
He broke away from the still pulsing artery and flicked his tongue at the side of my mouth. "Sh…" he ordered, pushing his shoulder a little against the back of my head, letting me know to continue feeding.
He licked a slight trickle of blood that had escaped my lips before returning to his own feeding, but his hands made short work of my pants, and then his.
It was torture to stay quiet as his finger slicked through my folds teasing me.
Edward, I need you to touch me.
Like this? His fingernail flicked across my clit, making my muscles seize in pleasure.
I could feel him hard against me, and I wanted him to fuck me while we fed. It was what I needed, forget everyone else around us. I'd lain at night worrying about him, and whether or not I would ever feel his skin against me, feel him inside me. I dropped the deer to the floor and fell to my elbows pushing against him, wanting him to take me. He broke apart from the animal, latching to the skin of my neck.
You want it this way, my Love.
Fuck yes.
Keep drinking, it turns me on, he ordered silently. God, Bella, you are so wet for me. He pushed two fingers in me and the deep rumbling in his chest increased, his hips flexing against me. The other hand went back to my breasts and he teased my nipples.
Edward…now, I can't wait. You can make love to me later. Need… I didn't even finish the sentence as I rubbed my ass against him and he slid deeply in me. The hand at my breast was gone, latched onto my shoulder to hold me still while he slammed into me. I smelled my arousal on his hand and left the poor deer for greener pastures, lapping at his fingers.
Oh God, fuck yes.
He temporarily let go of my shoulder and plunged his long fingers into my mouth. I sucked at them greedily, making whimpering noises as he slammed back down into me. I pushed back at him, forcing his cock even deeper and licked each of his fingers clean, enjoying that it made him so erratic.
Your hot little mouth. I want to fuck it, Bella. I want to… He went silent for a few moments, and I could feel the exertion he was putting into controlling his body. The trembling started though, and I knew he was close. Love, not going to last. It's been too long.
Don't hold back.
When his fingers slipped from my mouth returning to provide leverage at my shoulder, I returned to the dying buck's neck, shredding at it in need as Edward ground his cock in and out of me forcefully. Our mating was rough and primal, and it was exactly what I needed after the thrill of the fight and fear I'd experienced. The blood overflowed my mouth as I tried to stay quiet, but as he hit deep within me, I felt my orgasm begin. I wanted to howl at the pleasure.
Shh…Love. It's part of the pleasure, to steal this while the others surround us unknowingly.
Right! Like they couldn't hear the sound of his hips hitting mine. He wasn't being gentle.
When his other hand smoothed across my hip and feathered over my clit, it was all over. The buck's heart gave it last lurch as lights shattered behind my eyes and I clenched my teeth into the still warm flesh below me. Growling in a feral manner, I rode out the hardest waves. I felt him empty into me within just a few seconds, and I felt my body clench in response. I moaned quietly; though I wanted to vocalize loudly in a scream.
Fuckfuckfuckfuck… was the only word he was capable of as he moved against me jerkily.
He leaned onto me for the barest of moments, almost as if he had to recover, then his fingers threaded through my hair and he pulled so that my face turned to him. Gently he licked the blood from around my lips, the rough feel of his tongue making a remaining shudder more potent. He gasped as my walls clenched around his cock, and then softly his lips captured mine in an expression of adoration. We both breathed a little slower, coming down from our high. He wrapped his arms around my breasts, our chests heaving slightly.
"I love you, Bella. I don't think you understand just how much. You are my everything," he said gently.
"As you are to me." I sighed and then hummed in pleasure. "That was exactly what I needed. Round two?"
He chuckled against my back before pulling me upright to wrap his hands around me. For a few minutes, we remained still. I treasured the stolen moments as I basked in the feel of his arms around me. He nuzzled my neck softly, whispering my name and words of love, and I sank into his comforting embrace. The sex was absolutely amazing, but I thoroughly enjoyed the soft intimacy of after. Too soon it had to come to an end, and I groaned when he moved to pull my pants up.
"I want round two through one hundred, but later when there is less company." He looked almost bashful, and it was absolutely adorable.
Okay, okay, I'd put the lust on hold temporarily.
"What do we do with this?" I asked touching the toe of my combat boots to the carcass we'd fed off of together. The first one was just a few feet away.
"Follow me," he indicated hoisting one then the other over his shoulders.
I determinedly ignored the whistles that met our progress.
"You weren't quiet enough," I informed him, knowing full well that the moans had come from me.
He smirked over at me and accepted my false accusation with grace. He was humming in pleasure, his eyes a soft amber color. Even if I'd not uttered a sound, just the look on his face would have given us away. I was certain mine was the same and shrugged my shoulders putting a little more swag to my step. If I was going to walk the walk of shame, I might as well do it with pizzazz.
He dumped the bodies over a part of the wall and turned to see me grinning broadly at him.
He shook his head before saying, "C'mon, before you get me in any more trouble."
We hadn't stopped a foot before he tensed and turned his head as if hearing beyond the wall.
"Where's Eve?" he asked quickly, and then, spotting the girl in the courtyard, began running toward Jacob and her.
It was then I heard the sound of paws rushing toward us. I didn't know what was happening, but Edward obviously did.
"Evelina!" he yelled out, pointing to the gate.
I saw her eyes round out, and she rushed to it.
A large grey werewolf, not nearly as ragged-looking as the other Children of the Moon, streaked through the wood line headed toward the castle. Within less than a second, it made the gate. She ran toward him and threw her hands out, as if to stop the massive beast. The werewolf was apparently headed for the first unfamiliar vampire it came across.
"Alrik!" she screamed and the werewolf slid on his back legs, unable to control his forward momentum.
Luckily for us, he crashed head-on into Emmett, who snatched the snarling werewolf up and held him so that he couldn't take a snap at anyone.
"Dude, by the way Evelina's screaming your name, you must be her long lost brother. Calm down, and quit flicking the slobber this way. I can only handle so much."
By this time, Evelina had made it to them, and she stomped her foot in front of the struggling mutt. Jacob had raced just behind her and stepped in between them. He was taller than Emmett and he looked down at the two of them, snarling. I could see the fine tremors in his body; he was ready to phase the second Alrik tried to break free of Emmett. He would protect Evelina even from her own brother. She attempted to move Jacob aside, but that was like moving a wall. He kept a massive arm out in front of her, preventing her from coming to Alrik's aid. Edward placed himself to Jacob's side and I was at his.
"Evelina, he thinks you're being held captive," he told her.
The werewolf howled to the fading moon above, then slumped to his paws abruptly.
"Thanks, Jasper," Jacob said as our brother stepped to his other side; he had blasted a tranquilizing dose of lethargy toward the wolf.
Alrik looked like a drunk puppy now, his tongue lolling out to one side and his eyes half-lidded.
"I'm not letting up until you talk to him, Evelina," Jasper informed her.
"If someone will get the mutt out of my way, he might be able to see that what he believes isn't true," she murmured. Jacob still hadn't spoken to her about the whole imprinting thing. I really wanted to be there when it did happen. She was going to give him a run for his money.
Evelina then focused on Alrik and spoke gently to him.
"Alrik, they defeated Stefan and Vladimir." She gestured toward the Volturi guard members and us. "I'm fine. So are the others that fought with us. Calm down and change so I can talk to you," she said softly. She looked tiny between Emmett, her werewolf brother, and Jacob.
"Alrik!" she implored again, her arms outstretched.
The werewolf whined, and Edward nodded to Emmett, letting him know to release him. I was certain the boy didn't want to change in a vampire's arms.
We felt a shimmer in the air, and then half the women in the group gasped. No, definitely not a boy…a man. Alrik was stunning. The closest I could compare him to was a younger version of that guy in the butter commercials that used to grace romance novels, but he was even more beautiful. Long wavy blond hair hung past his shoulders and crystal blue eyes glared at us. His naked body was as beautiful as any of the Cullens, covered in lightly tanned skin. He looked like a Norse god of old. I idly wondered if both of them were Norwegian or Swedish.
Alice even covered her eyes as she tossed a pair of sweatpants at the man. It made me wonder just how she'd been able to pack all that stuff in her backpack. The girl was an enigma. I wanted to laugh at her next announcement. "I'm all outta men's clothes. Anyone else phases on the fly and they get to go back naked."
Edward snorted and looked over at Alice, making me wonder what she was thinking. I was guessing that she was putting in her choice for which werewolf should be caught in that predicament. I was also guessing it was the same one I'd choose. Rosalie raised her eyes in appreciation as Alrik backed up slightly from Emmett, assessing him warily. Edward's fingers pinched his nose on that one. I was really, really glad Edward couldn't hear my momentary fascination. I was betting that Rose was torturing him with visions of a Ménage a Tres.
"You are okay?" Alrik murmured in a distinct Scandinavian accent to his sister, holding his hand out to her.
"I am," she smiled brilliantly, taking it.
Jacob growled deep in his throat, causing the man to tense. "What is your problem?" Alrik said in a deadly tone to him.
Whatever Jacob was about to say, Edward stopped with a hand to his shoulder and a warning look. Probably a very wise move considering what this man might become to Jacob. No sense in pissing your future brother-in-law off this early.
"I believe you, Jacob, and Eve need to have a discussion, but right now might not be the best time," Edward noted, and turned to the returning group containing Caius, Aro, and Carlisle. Caius glared our way reminding me that we still hadn't settled the issue regarding the werewolves.
"Felix, Emmett, we are in need of your services," Aro said sharply.
I felt Edward tense beside me, but whether it was from the tone or what Aro was thinking I didn't know. At least for the moment, it took the attention off Alrik. He and his sister spoke softly to one another, and I saw his eyes jerk back to Jacob when she told him about her unexplainable attraction. Would he attempt to claw Jacob's eyes out when he found out the truth? I grinned in anticipation of the impending scene.
Everyone's attention was diverted when, a minute later, Felix and Emmett carried a large metal box into the courtyard. I smelled whiffs of Edward off of it, and then the puzzle fell into place. I hissed and raced toward the damn thing. Felix caught me by the waist just before I could pound it to pieces like I wanted to. I'd been running so hard that when he caught me by the waist, my legs swung out from under me, and Felix dangled me like a rag doll.
"Isabella, calm down," he laughed out as I struggled.
"Felix, thank you," I heard Edward say before his arms wrapped around me, pulling me to his chest. "Bella, I knew Aro would want to take it home. I'm not the only one to have suffered it. Didyme did as well. " He pulled my chin up so that I could see the sincerity in his eyes. "It's fine. I'm fine."
I struggled to bring myself under control; I was enraged by the knowledge that Edward had suffered immensely in this device. It was a cruel invention, and I wanted it destroyed. I shuddered to think of my father in possession of it. In many ways, he was as cruel as Stefan and Vladimir were, maybe even more. There was no doubt in my mind that he would use it for torture as well. It was a distressing realization. Needing comfort, I laid my head against Edward's chest, all the time thinking that it would be better for the thing to be obliterated.
"Where are the ropes, Aro?" Edward mumbled, and I was distracted by the sound of his voice and vibration of his chest as he did. I really needed to get away from here with him.
"Ropes?" he asked inquisitively. "I saw you bound with them, through Alice, but we found no such devices in our search."
Edward shook his head and walked over to Emmett. Unceremoniously, he held out his hand. Without any signs of remorse, Emmett reached to his back waistband and pulled a rope out from underneath his shirt.
"I didn't even have to be a mind reader to work that one out."
Emmett bared his teeth at Edward's words. He hissed when Edward put his hand out again.
"You're killing me here, Edward. For the first time in my existence, there is something that can actually restrain Rose, and you aren't going to allow me the opportunity to test-drive it? Just imagine Bella totally restrained for you, unable to move…" he waggled his eyebrows at Edward as my husband's eyes turned pitch black "…see, the image even speaks to your monkish heart."
Wow! The thought turned me on more than I wanted to admit. I felt my legs rub together involuntarily.
"I happen to know that there were at least four of them, Emmett. You'll only need one, maybe two depending on which bondage position you attempt and how ingenious you are."
The courtyard went dead silent, and I wouldn't dare to admit what the realization that Edward was intimately familiar with that knowledge did to my girlie parts. While the rest looked at my husband in amazement, Alice just grinned. She and I were going to have to have a talk. I narrowed my eyes at her in warning. She was going to have to spill the beans.
Aro approached us, attempting to control his smirk. Interrupting the glaring contest between my husband and brother-in-law, he said, "A compromise. Emmett may maintain temporary possession of two of the ropes, to test the strength and durability as he feels appropriate." Emmett's face began to glow with his ideas, eliciting laughter from the rest of us. "The other two remain with me for study."
Emmett raised his lips, sneering at Edward for a second before answering. "That is a perfect compromise." Having gotten what he wanted, he reverted back to the Emmett we all knew and loved. "I need to pick your brain on that one rope position, bro," he chuckled out, clapping Edward on the shoulder in good nature.
Edward just rolled his eyes at the big goofball as Emmett fished another one of the ropes out from underneath his shirt and handed it to Aro.
"Evelina, my dear," Aro said softly, looking at the wolf and beckoned to her to approach.
Tentatively, she obeyed, but both Jacob and Alrik shadowed her steps, glaring at each other the entire time.
"If there is anything you or your fellows desire from this place, please go and collect it now. "
Caius began to interrupt, but Aro stayed his protests with a slightly lifted hand. "Before you go, though, I would like to know if there is anything within the building that would prove useful to the Volturi?"
She glanced to Edward nervously. She didn't know Aro, so it was difficult for her to trust him. The bond between her and Edward was fragile at best. She was smart though; she knew that pleasing the ancient vampire was her most likely avenue to walking away from this in one piece. She looked my father squarely in the eye as she spoke.
"Um…Stefan and Vladimir…"she said the names with disgust "…housed a small library in their private quarters. I'm not sure what they had in there, but they were extremely protective of it. I know they had money, but I don't know where it's located. My guess would be their rooms." She stopped and it was clear from the look on her face that she was thinking through what she knew from her time here. "I don't think there is anything else particularly worth saving. They didn't believe in spending money on the niceties of life. Existence here was pretty austere."
She turned to glance at Edward, and then her gaze dropped to his chest and widened momentarily. "Oh…I forgot. Aribert's room…um…his bedroom and laboratory. He kept journals. Personally, I think the things need to be burned." She shrugged her shoulders in ambivalence.
Why Aro would want her input confused me. He'd touched both Vladimir and Stefan and would know more than what she'd given him, but as he reached out to grasp her hand in his, I realized it'd been a test. After briefly holding her hand and then releasing it, he turned to Caius and murmured, "See, Caius? It is as I told you."
The resignation on Caius face was laced with anger and contempt. Evelina had no idea of the test she'd just passed and its significance.
He held his hand out to Alrik behind her, as if he was offering a handshake of friendship. I saw the man struggle to do it, but then his sister slapped his side admonishing him for his rudeness. He quickly met the hand extended to him. Just like that, Aro stole all his memories, plundering through his motives and plans. It felt deceptive to remain silent and allow the process, but the look of calm on Aro and Edward's face kept me mute.
"Your friends? Would you ask them to approach?"
Caius remained as still as a statue, but I could read the waves of dissatisfaction rolling off him. Athenodora was across the way, hovering by Didyme and Marcus. She was obviously torn by the desire to be with him as well as wanting to protect her long-lost sister. I didn't know Didyme to read her mannerisms, but I did Caius. I was met with Edward's questioning gaze as I squeezed his hand and released it. Taking the five steps to Caius, I gently linked my arm through his. My action elicited a sardonic lift of his eyebrow, but that was just Caius. The fact that he patted my arm with his hand belied his affection for me.
One by one, the three remaining werewolves approached at Evelina's insistence. The woman came first and then the two men.
The introduction was the same each time. A handshake and Aro's introduction, "I'm Aro of Volterra," and then a mumbled reply from the werewolf with a name and acknowledgement. Simple pleasantries, for which they had no clue the intimacies they were unknowingly disclosing. I watched Edward's face the entire time, assessing him for any sign that Aro found anything of worry.
As the second werewolf male stepped back, Aro put his hands behind his back and glanced across their faces quickly.
"My brothers and I offer you two choices."
I felt Caius tense beneath my arm, and I brought my hand to him placing it on his forearm.
"You may choose to return to Volterra and serve under us, or you may go in peace. The money that Stefan and Vladimir have hidden, it is yours to divide equally. If you choose to leave, you will not be followed, but if any of the Volturi meets you again on a field of battle our amnesty will apply no more. You will be viewed as an enemy, and your loyalty on this day will not be considered."
"Edward, Isabella," he called our names, turning his head to glance at us, but said nothing further. Edward knew what was being requested.
"Aro, Jasper and Alice could assess the library. His expertise there would be invaluable."
"Certainly," he nodded.
Jasper's eyes lit in enthusiasm. He was such a dork. Give him a chance to look through a bunch of dusty books and he was a happy soul.
"Carlisle, your help with Aribert's rooms?" Aro murmured. He turned to Carlisle as he said it, and his eyes twinkled with great merriment. I was laying odds he'd harassed the Cullen patriarch mercilessly during the medical examination.
Edward stepped to me and grabbed my hand. We moved toward the castle, and my head jerked to and fro as Edward led us through the door and into hallways. I shivered at the cold austerity of the fortress. The walls were bare, and I couldn't spy a single rug to interrupt our footsteps.
Edward noticed my perusal. "It was all about revenge, my love. They didn't care for anything else."
"Esme could actually make this a tolerable retreat," Alice stated sincerely from behind us. "Somehow though, I don't think Aro plans to leave it standing."
"An accurate guess," Carlisle added.
Edward stopped before a door that on the first level. "Carlisle, this leads to the dungeons where Aribert kept his workshop." He spoke a trifle sarcastically on the last word. "I suggest we go there together. His room is on the second floor. I'll take you there first, and then Bella and I will meet you after we go through Vladimir and Stefan's room. "
"That sounds like a good plan," Carlisle said quickly. He stopped our movement though with a hand to Edward's shoulder. "Are you alright?"
"I will be, as soon as we are away from here. The extra feeding helped as well," he said.
"I bet," Jasper snorted, insinuating that the extracurricular activities might have been the actual culprit. I agreed with him. I knew it helped me.
Edward grinned unabashedly, but he placed his hand on Carlisle's and squeezed gently. "Dad, I'm fine."
Carlisle's eyes widened in pleasure at the endearment and nodded softly. He let go of Edward indicating for him to lead on.
On the second floor, he motioned to a door just down the hallway. Carlisle moved quickly, but I could read the distaste in his face. On the third floor, Edward moved to a door and opened it. "This is their study. There are some backpacks in their rooms that we can use to carry anything of value."
Alice skipped into the room and took in the austerity of the place. It was immaculate and well organized despite its austerity.
"Stefan and Vladimir valued little, but they took knowledge very seriously."
Jasper patted Edward's back as he moved past him to join Alice. She pointed her dainty hand toward the lowest shelf. "Let's start there, Jazz. We'll set anything we want to keep by the door."
And so we were left alone again to move toward their rooms. I passed one door and froze on the spot. I could smell Edward's concentrated scent. I started growling, knowing that this was where he'd been kept.
"Love, come along. You don't want to go in there."
I could smell Aro's scent, and knew that he'd likely looked into each room after harassing Carlisle. My suspicion was confirmed when we walked into Stefan's room, and I smelled him in the doorway.
"Why didn't he just get what he wanted when he was here?" I asked, curious as to Aro's actions.
"He didn't trust the werewolves enough at that time, and he wanted to steal their thoughts first before anything was revealed," he said only loud enough for me to hear.
From below we could hear Aro speaking to Didyme. "Didy, is there anything you desire to retrieve from your room?"
"There is absolutely nothing I want to take from here." Edward looked to me, and I could see the sadness in his eyes. I was guessing she'd like to obliterate the memories as well. Didyme continued speaking. "In fact, I was hoping the tiny one had some clothes in that wonder bag of hers so that I might cast these on the fire."
We heard the flight of Alice's footsteps and the opening of a window.
"Help yourself, I was just waiting for you to ask," Alice's tinkling voice called down. "I brought a pair of pants and shirt for you, since I didn't see you wanting to wear a dress home, and I guessed at the shoe size. I'm sorry if I didn't get it right."
"I'll go barefoot if necessary," Didyme called out in a stronger voice. I could tell that by taking back some degree of control, Didyme was already feeling empowered.
Edward put his face in his hands, and I could see he was attempting to muffle his chuckles. When he caught my questioning expression, he explained. "Marcus is imagining standing outside the door as she changes. It's killing him."
A huge grin tore across my face at the thought.
"I bet," I whispered just as softly.
Stalking across the room, Edward pulled open a drawer and reached inside to pull out a thick metal case. Handing it to me, he moved to another chest of drawers and pulled out a large chest. "I dread to even considering saving this one; it's the jewelry they've stolen off their victims, but it will provide the werewolves a start."
I shuddered at the visuals. "Wait, how did you know about it?" I was figuring that they hadn't had the time to add many to their numbers during the time he was here. They'd been too busy torturing him.
He looked embarrassed and suddenly his hand found purchase in his hair. "When Aro touches someone in my presence, I see all the memories he sees."
"Everything," I gasped, thinking back to all the individuals I'd seen my father caress just in the short time Edward had been with us. I was overwhelmed. Carlisle, Esme, Marcus, Didyme, Sulpicia, our siblings, Jacob, Felix…the list went on. "Everything?" I squeaked out again.
"Yes, unfortunately. I already know more about the vampire world than I ever wanted to know. It'll only get worse."
"WAIT! Does Aro's gift work on himself? I mean, have you seen his memories as well?"
Edward froze. "Dear God, I don't know. I hope not. I can't even imagine…he's never intentionally…" My mate looked totally astounded and then he rushed for the window throwing it open. "DON'T YOU EVEN…" he swore out. I dashed to him and saw Aro's hand hovering just above his skin.
My father narrowed his eyes at Edward and slowly lowered his hand. It wasn't over, I knew. I'd unintentionally started something I shouldn't. "Edward, I just thought of something. He's taken showers since you've been there, and dressed."
Edward laughed out hoarsely as he looked back at me. "You would think, right? But your mother loves to do those things for him."
Sulpicia's delighted laughter echoed from the courtyard below us, swirling around the individuals milling there. Aro continued to gaze at Edward with a calculating look. Now that I thought about it, had Edward really spent that much time in the castle? AARGH!
Distracting myself, I looked around the room, but really didn't see anything that interested me.
"Vladimir's next?"
"Yes." I could see that he was still disturbed by my observation. He made one more stop, pulling another armoire open and bringing out several large duffel bags. They were military looking in nature. When he turned, I saw the concerned look on his face.
"Hey, love you," I called out, pulling him in for a quick kiss.
His smile was bright as he pulled me even closer. "Love you, too," he responded, giving me a much more passionate kiss.
Once more, Aro's voice carried from the courtyard, reminding us of where we were. I pried myself away from Edward, as Aro again encouraged the five werewolves to avail themselves of anything they wanted from the castle. I looked to Edward as we walked down the hallway to see what he heard.
"Although they are like Didyme in that they do not want anything that had to do with Vladimir and Stefan, they aren't in the position she is in, knowing that she has a home to go to. They'll take what they can get and leave."
I hissed, thinking of Jake, and he clearly deduced my concern.
"No, not Evelina, and therefore I suspect, not Alrik either. She knows that there is something supernatural occurring between her and Jacob, even if she doesn't know what to call it. I'm not saying she is altogether happy about it, just that she knows 'something' has happened. They'll be going back with us for now."
"Give Jake time and he'll convince her."
That brought a smile to Edward's face as he opened the door in front of me and stepped back for me to enter. The room was almost a replica of the one we'd left. Here, he walked to the chest that sat at the end of the bed, and knelt before it.
"The other three won't have to worry, there is plenty to go around, and if they play their cards right, they'll never have to worry. Bella, in the chest over there are more duffle bags, including several smaller ones. Would you please bring them over here?"
I pulled the lid off the chest and saw that indeed it contained seven large duffel bags and several small ones. Pulling them out I turned and then gasped. Edward had started eight stacks of bound money. I was no expert, but I knew it was more than I could even comprehend.
"How much?"
"Several million."
"WHAT?"
Edward looked up to catch my startled gaze. "Vladimir and Stefan kept money on hand to purchase the things required. The metal case you are carrying contains their financial records of the accounts they've managed and hidden across the years in different countries around the world. Aro and I know their passwords and identities, and I'm certain that he will have someone on that quickly. This…" he indicated the piles of money at his feet "…is just pocket change."
I had to actually sit down. I realized at that moment that I didn't even have a notion of how much money Aro and the Volturi had. If this was something he didn't even concern himself with, it boggled my brain what may be contained in the metal case I carried. When Aro had said that he'd taken care of Charlie…exactly what had that meant?
"They'll be roughly a half a million apiece for them. It's in Euros, but we can get it exchanged in Florence for them. Not to mention the money they can get from the jewelry. Some of the pieces are exquisite. I need to pick a few out that might cause a stir if they are pawned. We'll find a way to have them mysteriously appear at a museum or something. At least is one is a royal jewel – The Sanchy. It has been missing since 1792 when it was stolen from the royal palace. Vladimir came across it when he eliminated an associate that attempted to double cross him. Aro may choose to keep that and some of the other ones I'm going to pick out."
I put my hand down to steady myself. "But there are eight bags?" I murmured thoroughly confused.
"Yes. For the three, Evelina, Alrik, Jacob, Seth, and Leah." He said this as if it should have already been clear.
Jacob was going to have money to go to school! I felt faint. Edward grinned at me, and then he crawled over to whisper in my ear. "Love, Jacob already has an account. He just doesn't know about it. Carlisle and I set it up not long after he left to go home. Aro had already taken care of Charlie, so we undertook Jacob. He'll find out soon enough."
"But…" I said against his cheek. I knew the Cullens had some money, but surely he wasn't saying…
"Love, this is pocket change for us too."
I didn't even want to know how unattractive I was with my mouth opening and closing like a guppy. I'd never had more than a couple of hundred dollars in a checking account. My college savings prior to my being turned had been frugal as well. To conceive that the stacks of bills before me were "pocket change" was dumbfounding. Edward continued piling the money until he emptied the chest. While I remained mute, he dumped the jewelry to the floor and rummaged through it picking out numerous obviously expensive pieces from the pile.
"The Sanchy," he said holding up an egg sized yellow stone.
"A topaz?" I asked quite pleased to even know the name of that stone. The only reason I was familiar with it was because I'd compared them to Edward's eyes in the past.
"No," he grinned. "A diamond."
NO WAY!
The pieces he'd separated, he placed in the metal box that he pried out of my frozen hands. Next, he took the bags and placed the divided money into them. Reaching into the pile of jewelry, he scooped large handfuls into each bag, but then his hand froze.
In his hand was an exquisite oval diamond solitaire. It had to be three carats at the least, and even in the diffuse light provided by the lamps, it flashed brilliantly.
"It is one of the lesser crown jewels stolen with 'the topaz'," he teased me. "Colorless and flawless, this is a perfect diamond. I think this might just go to Jacob. It will make a fine engagement ring for him to give to Evelina. There is nothing negative associated with it other than a bit of thievery. It would be poetic for something positive to come of this, and it can represent from where they came. I'll let him make the decision of course, and if he doesn't like it, he can sell it and they can live the rest of their lives off the proceeds." He handed me the ring and I slipped it into my pocket determined to give it to my best friend.
Edward easily picked up all eight filled bags, leaving me the empty ones and the metal box to carry. We dropped off several large bags with Jasper and Alice, noting the large pile of books. I grinned when I heard Alice scolding Jasper about the amount of ones he felt necessary to save.
"If it was La Perla you wouldn't leave a single thing," he quipped.
"Darlin'" she mimicked his southern drawl. "If it was La Perla, you wouldn't be leaving a single thing either."
Edward chuckled as he shut the door on them, and raised his eyebrow at me in amusement. "It's true though. That's just as much Jasper's addiction as it is Alice's."
We met the woman and two men coming up the steps on the second floor. They looked extremely uncomfortable about pilfering through the items in the castle.
"Please, take anything you desire, otherwise it will go to waste. There are other bags in the rooms above, and Didyme is close to your size," he indicated to the female. "This will give you a start." The look on their eyes was close to panic when Edward handed them each a bag and they looked into them.
"I don't understand," the girl said, totally perplexed as she looked to Edward from the open bag before her.
"This is your share," Edward said gently. "My brother and sister will be out of the library momentarily. The third floor will be yours then. Give us a few more minutes to clear the second floor, and then we will only need the basement."
"Burn it," one of the male werewolves muttered.
"Most likely, that is exactly what my Father will do," Edward told them.
"I don't believe any of us have any interest in the items there," the other male answered.
At that moment, Jasper and Alice walked down carrying at least ten overstuffed bags of books, and he carried a few particular ones in his arms.
"Did you leave any, Jasper?" I teased.
"Very few!" Alice answered with mock disgust.
Jasper nodded to the three wolves. "I claimed what was useful in the study. I don't think the books left will interest you, but feel free."
Carlisle pulled to our side at the moment as well. He held out one finger to me and I handed him a bag. "Give me two minutes, and the second floor is yours."
Alice and Jasper continued down to the ground level, as the wolves, carrying their precious cargo, made their way to the third floor.
"Edward, Evelina and Alrik, where are their rooms?"
He looked toward the stairs. "They don't really have rooms, Bella. The Romanians built barracks in one of the outbuildings, females in one, men in the other. Evelina and Alrik have already selected the things they want to take with them."
"Okay." It was difficult to imagine, not having your own space. Evelina couldn't have been much older than me. How long had she been here?
"Ready," Carlisle said to our side as he returned from the second floor rooms he'd inspected.
I felt Edward shudder a little. "As I ever will be, I suspect."
The descent into the basement almost felt like a descent into hell. I was even a little spooked by the time we opened the door. Carlisle flipped the switch and a multitude of fluorescent lights illuminated Dr. Frankenstein's laboratory. It was immaculate. To have come from such a crazed mind, I expected something totally different.
I went to view the grisly display of skulls against the wall while Edward and Carlisle looked through the cabinets and shelves. I was glad to see that most of them were animal skulls, but there were several that seemed to be grossly distorted, and I wondered if he'd killed some of the human/werewolves in mid change. From the two Cullens behind me, I heard a lot of scientific terms that I remembered vaguely being thrown around. They were like two kids in a candy store, tearing into the items. We heard the werewolves leave; they did not want to linger more than a few moments in the ghastly room; and the sounds of the final preparations outside.
Finally, having filled two bags, Carlisle and Edward declared themselves through.
"Do I even want to know?" I asked pointing to the skulls I'd continued to ponder and then at the bags of journals they'd collected.
Carlisle gazed at me with sad eyes. "No, Bella, you don't. These…" he held the bags a little higher "…are the words of a demented and deranged, but brilliant mind. It will take me months to really decipher everything here. I would say I am excited, and in a small way I am. It is a collection of prolific scientific inquiry. The answers to many of the questions I've long harbored about our own kind may be held within these. However, I suspect reading these journals that Aribert wrote will be very painful."
No doubt. Edward looked pained supporting my suspicion.
We left quickly and exited the castle interior just before dawn began to break over the horizon. I noticed the three werewolves had already left the castle for points elsewhere. Knowing the tenuous agreement that Caius had made with Aro about their safety, it was probably a wise move. I wondered where they would go, and whether or not they would stay together.
When Edward threw the remaining five bags in front of Jacob, Seth, Leah, Evelina, and Alrik, World War III broke out.
"I'm not taking anything from here!" Jacob shouted. "There is nothing in that castle that means anything to me." He continued to vociferously object, stabbing a hand at the bag in front of him.
Edward waited him out patiently, and Leah finally punched him in the leg getting him to stop. She'd bent down in curiosity and opened the bag.
"Wha…" she barely forced out.
"Your share," Edward said quickly. "Take it home, throw it in the fire, do whatever you would like with it. It is your choice. I would think that it would help with college, and possibly even law school?" Edward suggested wisely, causing Leah to swallow hard. He'd obviously picked up on something in her thoughts.
"For Seth, a good undergrad degree while he decides what to pursue."
"What are you talking about?" Jacob snarled out and bent to unzip the bag to see what Leah was looking at. His eyes widened, and I thought he was going to pass out. Leaving the bag unzipped, he stalked over to Aro. He was so distraught that Felix actually stepped close to the leader in reaction.
"I can't take that. I didn't do…"
"Jacob Black, you will most certainly take that currency with you," Aro interrupted firmly. "You saved Isabella's life, and contributed to the overthrow of my immortal enemies. Each of the guard members will get a division of the spoils, but I sincerely doubt…" he glanced to Evelina standing behind Jacob "…that you will be staying long enough for me to track down all the finances I know exist in Stefan and Vladimir's names and alias. In fact, I may be shortchanging you. I will make sure to forward appropriate amounts once it is all accounted for, into an account I'll set up in your name so that it doesn't go missing."
Aro was going to make sure that Jacob had the money, one way or the other. Jacob seemed to blanch. He'd been stunned silent.
"Now, I don't know about you, but I want to go home. Alice?"
"We'll be okay. It is going to be cloudy. We just need to be careful near the populated areas."
"I thought you couldn't see with us around," Seth's hoarse voice called out. He was still stunned with what had been placed at his feet.
Evelina and Alrik weren't much better.
"I can't. But my reception is actually fairly clear here," she giggled, holding up her pink iPhone. "Amazing isn't it? By the way, Em, the Mariners got trounced."
Aro's harsh bark of laughter actually startled me, and I could see that Didyme even smiled at Alice's enthusiasm. Emmett's curses filled the area as he ranted about his favorite team.
"Well, there is really only one thing left to do," Aro said looking back to the fortress. "Emmett, if my memory serves me correctly, and it usually does, Esme has called you to task several hundred times for destroying portions of her houses."
"Seven hundred and forty two to be exact," the big goof added.
"I have never been one to let talent go to waste. Consider it my present to you," he said gesturing grandly around the courtyard of the castle.
"Huh?"
"The castle is yours to totally destroy. I want it in pieces. Obliterated. Reduced to rubble. Bella, help me to come up with more slang terms the younger generation uses."
"Wiped from the face of the Earth," I suggested.
"Yes, yes, that is a good one."
"Turned to ash?" Jane suggested, smiling from Felix's side.
Emmett began smiling in anticipation as he looked to the stone fortress in front of us. I couldn't believe that Aro actually meant for Emmett to destroy it with his bare hands. Certainly that would take an inordinate amount of time, but then looking to Esme, I wondered if that was actually true.
Rose looked at Emmett and patted him on the shoulder. She held out her hand, and he removed his wedding ring placing it into her hand. He cracked his knuckles in anticipation. She held her other hand out, and he placed the two ropes he'd hidden into it.
"Wait!" Edward called out. "The deer, anyone have dibs?"
"NO!" the Cullens and wolves all called out, and my husband made a dash to the shelter. Within just a few seconds, several deer raced out of the courtyard and into the forest as if the hounds of hell were on their tails.
Edward, smiling in anticipation, returned to my side.
"Are you serious?" I asked looking to my father. "Emmett can't possibly destroy that, right?"
My older brother chuckled. "Bella! Ye of so little faith."
"Imploded," Alec suggested as a phrase, contributing to the description of the impending destruction.
"Razed," Demetri added.
But Esme ended the short roundabout offering up the ultimate. "Emmeratted."
"Felix, you look like the kinda guy that enjoys a little destruction. Care to join?" Emmett offered up an opportunity to share in his fun.
Felix stepped away from Jane and stretched. It was like watch two predators prepare for a run. "What are you suggesting?" he asked Emmett.
"Fun," my brother answered as if that was explanation enough.
Before he did anything further, Emmett walked over to the wall against which Aro had thrown Vladimir. Picking up a sizeable boulder and resting it in his arms, he strode toward Marcus and Didyme. I was puzzled until he stopped in front of Didyme and smiled gently down at her.
"First honors, ma'am?" he said softly.
She stared at him in puzzlement until he nodded toward the windows along the wall that faced us and held up the boulder. It wouldn't even stress her strength, but I imagined that thrown at vampire speed, it would damage the walls. It would be like a cannon ball shot at close range.
Delight seeped into Didyme's face, and she took the boulder in her hand, assessing the weight and balance. Stepping forward to get a good throw, she drew back her arm and froze.
"Fly little bird, fly," Emmett whispered, and I knew him well enough to know there was some significance. I would get him to explain later.
A myriad of emotions passed across Didyme's face before I saw the final one settle. Absolution.
The rock shattered what I assumed was the patio doors of the room she'd been imprisoned in and crumbled a part of the wall. Before anyone could move, she dashed for another one and lobbed it in the same direction. Marcus began to gather the rocks for her and Emmett and Felix joined in, making sure that she was supplied with a steady round of shots. As each rock landed, shattering more and more and beginning to bring down parts of the upper floor, it was if the final chains of captivity began to fall away from her. She stood a little taller and her faced took on the liveliness that I'd seen in the picture Marcus had hanging over his mantle.
Finally, she put a hand out, stopping her cannon crew. She smiled brilliantly as the area that housed her room and most of the third floor collapsed. She nodded as if answering her own internal question and turned to the group.
"I do believe that Emmett and Felix should have the privilege now."
Without further delay, Emmett bellowed and then ran head on into the building. He disappeared through the rock wall, and I heard crashing noises followed by his hysterical laughter.
"Dear Lord," Esme said from beside Edward and me. "He'll be uncontrollable now."
We heard a whoop and the sound of something shattering and the building actually shook slightly. Realizing he was missing out on the fun, Felix followed Emmett's lead running into the stone wall, but capturing it with his broad shoulder. He left a car-sized hole, and a crack quickly crept up the stone wall going as high as the second floor. We heard them crash together somewhere within. It was like hearing two little boys chortle in glee to hear the sounds coming from within.
A curious expression came over Edward's face, and then he broke out in laughter. "Bella, take my ring off," he said quickly. I realized he only wanted to keep it safely undamaged in my hands. As soon as I removed it from his finger he snatched me up for a quick kiss and took off running as well. Jasper streaked behind him.
I heard Jacob curse from behind me and turned to see him pacing. "I can't go in there. If it falls, I'll be toast. THEY…" he flopped his hands toward the now trembling building "…get to have all the fun."
Demetri abandoned us then, tearing into the chaos. The building looked like a hundred cannons had hit it at this point.
I laughed out loud when Esme picked up a rock and lobbed it into the first floor. A loud curse echoed from within and the group outside looked at the Cullen matriarch in shock. Until she said, "I hope that was Emmett."
Carlisle bent at the waist and put his hands on his knees, he was laughing so hard.
It then occurred to us all that we could all take pot shots. It ended up in mayhem as the castle was destroyed from inside and out. Chuckles of male delight and curses as well aimed rocks found their mark continued on for several minutes before the building really did begin to totter.
"To the gate!," Aro half shouted and half laughed out, and I saw Jake grab the two bags and Evelina's hand as her brother, Seth, and Leah followed suit, moving swiftly toward the courtyard gate and out onto the path beyond. We made it just in time as the building came down, one of the turrets crashing onto the building that had housed the caged deer and shattering it
For a moment panic set in thinking of Edward and the others in the mess, until from deep within the rubble I heard the five distinct sounds of male laughter. Slowly, one by one, they emerged from the rubble, crawling to the top and knocking off particles of stone off their shoulders and clothing here and there. Their faces were covered in rocky dust, giving them an almost ghostly appearance. It reminded me of some zombie movie I'd seen years ago. I couldn't remember the name, just that the creatures had emerged from the earth in similar fashion.
Emmett's grin couldn't be contained and no sooner had he stood that he began to shake like a dog sending dust and debris in a million different directions. Mostly it landed on the chalky white figures beside him. Felix utilized Emmett's distraction to shove him halfway across the rubble field.
"Ah, the foolishness of youth," Aro murmured. "They'll be shaking out debris all the way home."
Looking to the five grinning vampires, I didn't think they cared.
Putting Edward's ring in the pouch I'd carried it here in, I grabbed several bags, while the others did the same. Luckily, we'd thought to put them closest to the wall. Felix hoisted the Iron Maiden across his back and within minutes, loaded down with the spoils, we took our last look at the destroyed Romanian fortress. I was certain that the word would be circulated about the utter destruction the Volturi delivered to the Romanians. Aro would leave the crumbled, mangled, and utterly devastated castle as testament to those who thought to cross him.
The wolves disappeared behind several large piles of rock and debris to shift and within moments reappeared ready to move. Edward and I grabbed their clothes, shoved them into an empty backpack, and as he moved to my side, I realized that within a few hours we would be home, and I could really begin my honeymoon. Seeing Jacob and Evelina running together ahead of us, and him nipping at her hind legs playfully, I altered my conclusion. After I got home and helped my best friend introduce the love of his life to his world of magic, I could begin my honeymoon. Then as I saw Marcus move to Didyme's side and her soft smile formed in response, I had to attempt a conclusion again. After I got home and helped my best friend introduce the love of his life to his world of magic, and then helped my comforter reintroduce his wife to the world of his love, I could begin my honeymoon. Edward brushed beside me, realizing my thoughts were miles away. His smile was brilliant, and I almost stumbled at the lust that poured through me. Damn…I just needed to start my honeymoon.
Please let me know what you think in the way of a review.
I could not do this without a wonderful couple of betas:
ColdOnePaul – Amazing man and friend. He makes me sound intelligent.
Crmcneill – Thanks for putting up with me, and my less than stellar comma skills. I've learned what screaming looks like over a PM. Trust me the man can scream.
Jacob Alpha:
Rising on my hind legs, I met the werewolf full force. We were a whirlwind of snapping jaws and claws. I worked hard to avoid his bite while at the same time tearing at his fur. Agony filled me as he clawed at me, and he howled in frustration at my avoidance of his teeth. No way was I going to be a werewolf as well. I gagged feeling his saliva hit my fur. I shoved hard at his chest with my paws causing him to fall, but he twisted and came back at me on all fours.
We met again clawing at each other. The primal sound of rage filtered through me, and I growled at the thing that threatened my friend and…her. Something awoke within me, raising its head and shaking off its fur to rid the slumber. I realized it was the Alpha in me breaking through the chains I'd put on him, not wanting the role and responsibilities. I was screwed. I didn't know that I could ever go back to Sam's pack now. That made me even madder at the werewolf in front of me. Using the rage I felt at what occurred, I lunged and tore a huge gash in his right shoulder. The werewolf fell back landing back on his paws.
We met again and circled one another. He was assessing my weaknesses, as I did his. I wanted to sniff at him. He was child's play in comparison to my brothers back home. "Hunh" "Hunh" "Hunh" came his vocalization as he paced. His grey fur was raised across his back in aggression. I could see blood pouring down his one leg from where I'd injured him.
He dove for my legs, and I leapt into the air to come down on him. He was fast though, and I was only able to tear at his neck a little before he twisted, throwing me. I heard the girl's whine. We were close, but I didn't want her moving from over Edward.
I snapped at his leg, and he backed away. Stupid mutt. Before the girl could even react, Edward's arm blurred out and seized his back leg, tearing it free from his body. As he fell to the ground, his howl of pain rose above the noise of the fighting around us.
Chomp! Chomp! He was mine. I enjoyed tearing him limb from limb.
I leapt to cover Edward as well. I looked to the chaos surrounding us and determined I'd fucking kill anyone who came near us. I breathed a sigh of relief when the girl rested against me, her sides heaving. She faced the opposite direction and the feel of her warm body touching me made my blood race. How could this be happening here…and now? She wasn't even human. Wait, I guess she was as much human as I was. Did it matter? I checked my heart. No, I realized, it didn't.
Mine. Mine. Mine. The words kept echoing through my mind.
(A little later…)
Carlisle and Esme moved quickly toward us and brushed their hands at my sides. Their clothes were ripped and messy, and I wondered just what or who had delayed them in getting to us.
"Jacob, M'am…" Carlisle said with a soft smile to the girl beside me. Evelina had turned upon hearing them approaching us. I huffed letting her know that it was okay, but I realized she wouldn't be able to understand me.
"Evelina," Edward added, allowing me to hear my imprint's name for the first time.
"Evelina," Carlisle said in his cultured voice. "May I see my son, please?"
"Jacob to the wall," Carlisle said in a harsh voice when we moved and he saw Edward.
Picking his son up like a rag doll, Carlisle moved quickly. Within a second, Evelina and I stood in front of Carlisle and Esme as they tended to Edward.
"I'm fine," he argued, attempting to discredit Esme's soft sobs. "Just weak and I couldn't see what to do to reattach it with Jacob and Eve standing over me."
"Shh…" Esme said softly, but I could hear the concurrent relief and pain in her voice.
Knowing he was safe, I could focus on the things happening around me, catching them mostly through Leah and Seth's eyes. Wait! How could I still hear their voices? If I was an Alpha now. Shit. Shit. Shit.
My worry was put to the side though as images began filtering through my mind….