Chapter 17 – I Didn't Mean It

I'm the guilty one.

Give me my sentence, I'll pay my penance

Nothing kills me more than the pain I have for hurting you


Upon entering the ballroom, Aro anchored in place his mask of confidence so his followers would be none the wiser that beneath his calm, cool facade, he was troubled. The facade would be what he would give them, even though a ghost from his past needed to be excised from his mind.

Aro was an intelligent leader. He knew he was only as powerful as the army that backed him. And that army was only loyal as long as they were assured they were on the winning side. Such celebratory feasts pleased warriors and subjects alike. All would drink until they had their fill. Overfed and satisfied, there was no need to question the decisions of the Volturi.

Of course, Chelsea and Corin's presence boosted the carefree confidence in the room. The effect of their gifts hung heavy in the room of revelers, adding to the pleasure of over-consumption and indulgence. Of all the gifted vampires under the auspices of the Volturi, Chelsea and Corin were two of his most cherished coven members. Chelsea, with her ability to influence the emotional bonds between individuals, enjoyed a favored position, as her pure black robe indicated. Tonight, her talent would blanket everyone in her presence, creating an illusion of warm togetherness, while Corin's drug-like effect brought forth a euphoria that lowered inhibitions.

It wouldn't be long before appetites for blood were quenched, whetting the appetites for sex. Such was the usual progression at feasting celebrations. After hours of feeding and fornication, his subjects would be drunk on pleasure and well-pleased. Many hours later, only a slight withdrawal from Corin's effect would dampen their spirits, and that would do little to convince them life under Volturi rule was anything but heaven on earth – worth defending at all costs.

Of course, loyal subjects occasionally needed to be shown the consequences of disloyalty; someone would have to serve as an example of the consequences for disobedience. But none of that was necessary tonight. This was his golden empire, and he was its emperor.

Aro caught a glimpse of his mate, Sulpicia, dressed in sheer iridescent veiling. The fabric shimmered in the firelight and allowed glimpses of the curves of her hips and breasts when she moved. Her teasing behavior drew lustful glances from many males, and several females. The most desirable woman in the room was his, just as it should be.

Taking long drinks from the goblet of blood in her hand, she floated across the room toward Aro. The sway of her hips and the burning desire in her hooded eyes conveyed they would not remain long at the feast tonight…

"Aro, my sweet, drink!" she cajoled as she held the cup out to him.

Instead, he took possession of her, forcefully pulling her to him. His action resulted in the goblet being crushed between their stone bodies. The still-warm blood clung to Sulpicia's flesh. Aro gave in to the sight of his mate covered in fresh blood. Pulling the veiling aside, he lapped hungrily at her exposed skin.

"Come," she curled a finger at him as she backed away, "there are several woman interested in pleasing you tonight to show appreciation for your generosity."

The temptation aroused him; however, the image of his sister still possessed his mind. Her memory grew larger by the second, distracting him beyond logic, making it difficult for Aro to maintain his façade not to mention his desire.

Sulpicia, thankfully, was easier to distract than most.

"Later, my dear. Unfortunately, I do have business I must attend to first. It pains me to miss out on the fun."

Sulpicia pushed out her bottom lip in a pout, and she seductively stroked her long, silky black hair. "You do know I will find it difficult to restrain myself in your absence."

"I know you will save the best for last. It is I who will take you to our chamber when I return."

Sulpicia smiled in anticipation before returning to the festivities.

Surveying the room, Aro saw many attendees had formed small groups or paired off in various areas of the room. He searched for his brothers. Caius was in his throne chair, goblet in one hand, with a half-clothed Athenodora on his lap. Marcus was nowhere to be seen.

He took the opportunity to slip from the room. Though he left the revelry behind, his ears remained trained on the sounds of his guests below. Should Isabella or Dominic awaken, he would be the first to address them. However, for now, he knew he had to give the ghost her due. It was the penance he had to pay when her memory resurfaced. It was the only way he had learned to silence her distressing presence in his mind.

Shutting himself behind the heavy door of his chamber, he allowed the scene and the memories to invade his mind knowing once he had given her memory its due, he could then lock it all away for a while and give his mind a temporary reprieve.

**A long time ago, outside the walls of Volterra…**

Two cloaked figures stood like statues atop the highest hill gazing down upon their walled haven. The setting sunbeams reached through the clouds like arms of light embracing the stone city. Aro was proud of her splendor. It was his city.

As if she could read his mind, Didyme said, "You have accomplished so much, dear brother."

"Yes, my dearest one. So much has been achieved for the good of our kind – with your help. And yet, so much more must be done to accomplish our goals. We cannot afford to let anything, or anyone, stop our momentum."

He reached the short distance between them to take her hand.

The cooler, swirling winds of the higher altitude blew the cloak hood from her head, freeing her onyx hair. It swirled around her face, reflecting the light from the sun and making it sparkle like liquid night.

Something in him registered deep pain.

He had loved her as far back as he could remember. Although the human memories were now ancient and hazy, a few were still kept vivid by his emotional attachment to them.

His most treasured memory was of the day eight-year-old Didyme climbed the old tree near the village well. She so wanted to prove she was as able-bodied as any boy. She climbed up with enthusiastic determination - only to freeze with fear when she realized how far she had ventured from the ground. Though Aro's parents had tried to coax Didyme down for over an hour, it was only when he arrived to reassure her, did she begin her arduous descent. It was her big brother's voice and presence she responded to – only him.

He and Didyme bonded that day in a special way. Rarely were they separated, it was almost as if he saw her with new eyes. It was on that day he was captured by her pure gift of radiance.

Aro missed his sister terribly in the time he was forced to live without her after his transformation due to his bloodlust. Though curious about the possible gifts she might wield as a vampire in light of his own magnificent ability, he let her be. A remnant of good conscience had pleaded with him to let her live her life as a human woman, whose inner beauty and outward grace was admired by many eligible suitors.

However, once his destiny became clear to him, Aro acknowledged he needed her gift. His fledgling cause required more loyal subjects, and he knew she had the ability to draw others to her. Gifts such as hers should not be wasted remaining human. With great expectations, he brought her into his world.

It paid off. New recruits flocked to her flame like moths - although he was ultimately disappointed her abilities were so limited, not to mention distracting. Aro soon learned that once caught up in her aura of happiness, several of the new recruits lost their ambitious, aggressive edge. They saw no reason for battle or aggression having found happiness. They grew complacent and lost focus. It was a constant irritant to the burgeoning leader, but her ability to lure new talent ultimately outweighed the inconvenience of her effect.

While Aro had come to expect neophytes to become enamoured with Didyme's gift, he never considered the ambitious warrior Marcus to get caught in her web of rapture…until it was too late. Behind his back, Marcus and Didyme mated.

Did this mean Marcus's allegiance had shifted? Marcus could not lose focus. Aro couldn't risk that, besides it wasn't part of his carefully structured plan. The concept of vampire laws of mutual convenience that Aro, Caius and Marcus had forged was gaining momentum and others were beginning to accept the Volturi as the wise and rightful ruling body of vampire kind. Domination was now within his grasp.

Their betrayal had forced his hand.

Aro, like other great leaders before him, understood sacrifice was something leaders are often called upon to do. Shutting away his emotions, he knew he had only one choice. He could not be forced to lose ground now…and if he played his hand right, he could reap several benefits from his noble sacrifice.

"It will be hard to say goodbye to Volterra, but it's is for the best," Didyme's voice rose melodiously over the howling wind. "I cannot thank you enough for allowing Marcus and I to take our leave. He is a changed man, Aro. The quest for power has left us empty, Aro. It doesn't feed us anymore. We have found what we need in each other. I hope you will understand one day. There is something more.

"I know you brought me into this life because of your love for me, and now I see it wasn't without a divine purpose. I was created for Marcus, and he for me."

Aro could feel her gift blooming around him. Since she had fallen for Marcus, the ecstasy of true love had amplified her abilities, evoking a euphoric state so real it could almost reach his heart.

As he took in the warm radiance of Didyme's joyful glow for one last time, the sun dipped behind the hills and the moon rose at their backs.

At last, Aro gathered his resolve and shoved back against Didyme's effect.

"Are you so eager to leave behind what we have begun? The Romanians are threatening our very existence," Aro questioned, allowing himself one small shred of hope she would abandon this foolish quest.

"It is your aspiration, brother, not mine. And not Marcus's anymore...though we wish you continued success and promise to abide by the laws set forth."

"Marcus is my brother. You are my sister. We are family. Stay here and reap what we have sown together. Why live as a commoner, moving from place to place? Look upon what we have won for ourselves! Others will flock to us now."

She turned to stroke his cheek, her eyes sympathetic, yet in some way they communicated pity.

Aro removed her hand from his cheek, and kissed her palm.

"I am truly sorry, my sister."

"Sorry for what?" She cocked her head in confusion.

"Sorry for bringing you into this life. I overestimated the potential of your gifts. I had hoped they would be more like mine once you were transformed. I believed we could be more like...equals."

Her delicate brow furrowed and she took a step back. "You are displeased with me, brother?"

"I am...regretful."

Self-preservation began to creep up Didyme's rigid spine, and her haze of happiness retracted, curling up inside her as would a startled crab into its shell. Aro was grateful when he felt her pulling away.

"You and Marcus have forced me to make a painful choice. It is unfortunate, but I cannot accomplish my life's work without Marcus. His gift is just too essential to our mission."

Didyme did not recognize the deadened look in Aro's eyes. This was a look for his disloyal subjects, his enemies, and his prey. But never for her. Her fear was fully realized and instinct drove her to flee to Marcus before it was too late. He would make this insanity stop! He would protect her and sweep her from danger. All she needed to do was make it to his arms...

Like a shot, Aro grabbed her arm, preventing her escape. Then he pillaged through her mind.

"No. Marcus will remain. You must go. But I am not a cruel being, my sister. I shall not let you suffer."

Swallowing her dread, she absorbed his words. As she did, a sense of well-being embraced and caressed her. It was a feeling she knew - it was the swell of pleasure and contentment only Marcus had ever coaxed from her body and flooded into her mind. It was the unique euphoria she experienced through her whole self when he pleasured her... in the giving of bodily pleasure and love...in the giving of himself to her and her alone.

She sunk into it as if it was Marcus's welcome embrace, trusting it and wanting more – re-experiencing the reason she had bonded to Marcus. Her brain registered, but then quickly disregarded the alarms blaring in her mind, abandoning logic for the feeling that was all consuming, so satisfying...highly addicting.

In fact, she barely noticed the approach of the woman now controlling her will, easing her into complacency. Didyme didn't know who, but Aro had obviously found a new vampire with a very powerful gift, one so potent it could overpower the strongest innate vampire drive – the one of self-preservation.

"You use another to intoxicate me and make me feel at ease with my impending death, brother?"

"I love you, sister. I wish no pain or fear upon you," his voice shuddered slightly, revealing his desperation. "Please, I beg you, forgive me."

He took her hand as Didyme swooned in the unseen vampire's simulated rapture. Aro's face fell as he saw into his sister's hazing mind that her plans still had not changed.

The twinge of pain he had felt before now erupted and filled him with agony. Didyme's life - their life together- flashed before him. He wished it didn't have to come to this, but wishful thinking has no place in reality.

"Sister," Aro cried with the wail of the wind. His hands cupped her flawless cheeks and his dark eyes searched her hooded ones. "I shall always remember your sacrifice."

Her head twisted violently, unnaturally, in his fierce grip before falling to the ground.

Aro sunk to his knees next to her body, covering his head with his hands and arms.

"The sacrifice I have made today for vampire-kind will never be fully appreciated!"

Extended grief was not a luxury he could afford. Without another glance, Aro rose with the vow he would never kneel for another, and headed slowly in the direction of Volterra.

"Finish the deed," he instructed.

The acrid smoke dispersed quickly in the fierce winds; still he breathed it in, the last essence of her staining his cold lungs. His ambitious accomplice followed at a slight distance.

"I have followed your directives, Lord Aro. I have done all you have asked, though I did not have issue with…your sister."

The subtle threat that was being wagered was not missed. "And you wish something in return for your silence?"

"I have come here because I know my gift has value to your cause. You have had the 'demonstration' you asked for and have witnessed for yourself my usefulness."

"Yes, but I have seen into your mind. You have not been completely forthcoming with your true desire to serve the Volturi."

"True. As part of your coven, I can make Stefan pay for what he did to me! Surely you can appreciate my right to revenge."

"Is your motive to serve our kind or to seek vengeance against the one who has wronged you? Your intention must be clear. The heart cannot seek two goals simultaneously. You must choose."

"I will choose silence in what I have witnessed today. I will serve the Volturi with my talents. That is what I offer."

Aro turned. "Then kneel before me and swear your allegiance to the Volturi."

The newcomer kneeled and grinned with satisfaction, confident that Aro would not pass on this opportunity to add such an advantageous talent to his arsenal. Besides, the knowledge that Aro had just killed his own sister would be useful fodder to negotiate favors from a leader who had a very dark secret he would undoubtedly want to keep hidden. With this leverage, revenge against the Romanian cover could be sought and taken.

As the recruit awaited induction, Aro passed judgement. "I'm sorry, your offer is insufficient."

Before Aro's words could register, another vampire head had rolled and subsequently burned. Aro addressed the pile of ash appearing at his feet, "So much I have sacrificed this night. True your talent would have been valuable, and I will search for one like it, but tonight your value lies in being an alibi. You see, the story that will be told is that my sister and I were attacked after being supplied with information from you, a Romanian spy who attempted to infiltrate the Voturi. Unfortunately, in that fight, Didyme was lost."

Shredding his cloak to give the appearance he had been in a battle, Aro resumed his trek toward Volterra.

"Between Marcus's predictable obsession with retaliation, and Caius's quest for just punishment of those involved, I calculate the sacrifices made will be well worth the effort."

The cold clutches of the visions of the past released him, and he staggered to the stone wall of his chamber for support. Even after all this time, and although it was a necessary deed, the memories of that night caused him so much pain.

Straightening his posture and steeling his composure, Aro internally cursed Marcus. Why did Marcus have to fall for her and force his hand?

Recalling how Didyme's angelic face eclipsed everything else in Marcus's mind, Aro wondered why her memory was so vivid on this night. It was as if she was standing there before them in the chamber. Aro couldn't read anything else in his brother's mind.

Then the reason became clear – the last time Marcus had been so obsessed with Didyme's memory was on the occasion Isabella was here with Edward.

Was Marcus such a bleeding heart? Aro scoffed at the notion he would never give control of his emotions to another as Marcus and Edward had done – love only enslaved you to another. It also was the cause of many poor decisions throughout history as it resulted in loss of logic and focus. Besides, he had loved Didyme, and look what that had gotten him…

Aro made a mental note to keep Chelsea close to Marcus in the days ahead, as he might be wallowing under the weight of his own memories. Too much was at stake for him to be distracted by the possibility of Marcus making a suicide attempt, for tonight Aro was to welcome a new member into the fold.

The thought of Isabella distracted him. He wondered if any of his gifted coven members would be able to breach Isabella's impenetrable blocking power. She would be one of his greatest additions, yet, if she was to be immune to Chelsea's and Corin's effect, he would need to find a way to sever her from the Cullen Coven and secure her to the Volturi. That would take a great deal of skill on his part - but Aro believed he was up to the task. Edward's mind had given him all the ammunition he needed to secure Isabella's loyalty.


A/N: Ohhh! Would you hate me if I confessed I very much enjoyed writing this chapter? I love writing Edward, but writing Aro is a devilish good time!

Thanks so much for reading, and I would appreciate any comments you might have. (It would be awesome to reach 100 reviews with this chapter!)

Thank you to my wonderful team - RowanMoon, RosaBella75 and Ashling92 - who had to speed read and turn this over since I decided at the last minute to create this chapter.

The plot thickens, yes?