An Unresolved Past
This story starts off five years after its prelude: 'Life is never what you expect it to be'. Bella is now Caius's mate and they are both very happily bonded. WARNING: This is an adult version of twilight and will have sexual submission and violence (after all; the story revolves around vampires). This is not for the faint of heart; it is very dark and has sexual content. 18+
Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer is the creator of these intriguing characters but has nothing to do with this story.
Chapter 18 – It's time to pay the piper*
It was two in the afternoon and Bella was about to go to her father in a last attempt to convince him that she was not his daughter when Aro came around the corner. She felt very uncomfortable in his presence and wanted to keep her distance but knowing that may enrage him she kept a nonchalant attitude.
Looking at his hand she realized what he was holding and softly asked "The tickets?"
Yes, as I have promised! If you would just give me a chance I would do anything for you my love" Aro said crimson eyes travelling her body and then returning to her face.
"At a price of course" she scoffed.
He shrugged his shoulder and a mischievous smile graced his lips as he said "What can I say in my defence? Both Sulpicia and Caius are gone; why should either of us stay alone. United we can form a strong front for the coven".
"Having witnessed Sulpicia's execution I agree that she is no longer among us. But Caius- he couldn't be, there is no body".
"No, maybe not but didn't Caius once tell you that you cannot find release with another as long as your mate exists?"
Realizing the truth in his words the fingers of panic grabbed a hold of Bella digging its claws deep around her heart forcing her to lean against a nearby wall for support.
As she did Aro moved closer putting both hands on the wall and thus trapping her between them as he seductively whispered "You see my love, that was the last proof and your beautiful body helped me unearth it."
He then gracefully stroked his hand over her cheek saying "Enough of this, I must give these tickets to Mr Swan"
Having said this Aro knocked on the door of her father's bedroom and Charlie shouted "Come on in; the door ain't locked" Aro flinched at Charlie's use of the English language and then plastered a forced smile on his lips as he opened the door.
Charlie had expected Bella but seeing Aro, his face turned sour. This did not vex Aro knowing that this man was the reason for his night of pleasure with Isabella and the assurance of more to come. Instead Aro gave him a friendly smile saying "Dear Mr Swan I have your ticket and wish to say goodbye. I do hope that you have recovered from your fright and in view of your inconvenience due to our misunderstanding you are of course welcome to stay or continue your trip to Rome if you like. As you must have realized we are not without means and so I have added a large sum to compensate both physical and mental difficulties you may have had because of my foolishness. After all, one only has to look at Isabella's eyes to know the truth".
"No I can't accept it" Charlie said suspecting that this was Aro's attempt to bribe his silence.
"Of course you can; we wouldn't have it any other way" Bella said her impassive face endeavouring to disguise the fear she felt for her father's welfare.
Aro smiled and shook his head in agreement and continued "Perhaps you may wish to continue your journey through lovely Italy while you're here; after all you had just arrived when my sister detained you."
Charlie hastily said "No thank you, I'm not a traveller in the best of times but now I've had enough of Europe to last me for the rest of my life".
Aro lightly bowed his head as if respecting his decision and handed him the plane ticket. Once Charlie had put it in his pocket Aro extended his hand and although Charlie hesitated, he accepted it but before he knew it Aro ensnared it with his other hand.
"My god you're cold" Charlie said looking up at Aro but he was ignored, instead he saw that Aro had closed his eyes as if meditating. Nervously observing the scene Charlie tried to pull his hand back but Aro held him securely as he listened to his thoughts. Looking up at Bella he asked "What the hell is going on?"
"It is the Italian way of saying goodbye" Bella said, her eyes pleading with Charlie to accept the explanation.
Aro's expression was one of sheer amazement as he looked up. He then turned to capture Bella's desperate eyes and a minute later he let go of Charlie's hand saying "Goodbye Mr Swan I hope you have a pleasant trip". Then nodding his head Aro turned to depart the room; although trying to veil his anger both Bella and Charlie felt his radical mood change. Walking towards the doorway his eyes pierced Bella's and with a slight nod of his head that only she could perceive, he ordered her to follow.
Once outside and away from prying ears Aro hissed "Did you know that you have inherited your gift from you father?"
"What do you mean?" Bella asked confused by his words "Please, I don't understand!"
"What I mean is that I cannot read his thoughts" Aro angrily complained.
"What ….how?" Bella began but as she spoke she saw the accusation in Aro's eyes. Seeing his blatant fury she tried to appease him saying "I promise….I didn't know; how could I?"
Aro began pacing the room, angered by the fact that he had not tried to read Charlie's mind earlier.
Bella herself was grateful that any possible doubts that Charlie had were invisible to Aro's prying gift although she did everything to avoid revealing it. Actually in the light of these new circumstances she wished she had told Charlie something to keep him pacified and safe.
Bella followed Aro's agitated movements with her eyes as she pleaded "Aro; I promise you that I have told him nothing. I was not aware of the fact that you would be unable to read his mind; as far as I knew telling him anything would have put him in danger".
Aro's mind was closed off to her claims, actively contemplating other possible security measures as he murmured to himself "I will have to monitor his movements for the first year; make sure he doesn't do anything out of the ordinary".
Then he stopped his pacing and abruptly turned to look at Bella. His eyes were dark red and vicious as he spat "In the meanwhile you are no longer allowed to be alone with him. Do you understand?"
Although this was inevitable it was also a disappointment. Bella however automatically accepted Aro's terms and nodded her head in agreement.
Continuing his fierce glare he uncompromisingly added "I swear Isabella that if he does anything suspicious because you have told him our secrets, it will not only mean his death and the death of those close to him. It will also mean that their deaths will be at your hand and in front of the entire coven".
Bella looked horrified by the thought; and quickly responded by bowing her head in acceptance while saying "I understand"
Aro smiled "You are dismissed Isabella; I will have one of my guards hold watch at Mr Swan's door" Bella tried not to tremble and was able to keep her dignity intact as she walked away. She knew her father would never give up. How did she know it? Well, she was the same as her dad and if the roles were reversed she would do the same!
Charlie would hunt down Carlisle for the truth and with the watchful eyes of Volturi; Aro would quickly realize that she hadn't been able to convince her father as much as she had implied. That one crucial whisper about Sue had inadvertently given her away.
She realized that although Charlie had been saved Aro's inquisitive mind it was essential that she warn him the only problem being; how?
That evening just as Charlie was about to leave she came up to his door. The guard who had seen her come out of Aro's bedroom mockingly snickered "I'm sorry Queen Isabella but I have strict orders not to allow you to see Mr Swan."
"I understand but you're here so I will not be alone with him. After all I am not forbidden to see him; only to be alone with him. I have a problem you see, he had given me this locket" she said as she held up a small golden locket for his viewing. She then continued saying "I told him I would return it to him before he left and as you know I haven't seen him since so I couldn't give it back".
The guard suspiciously eyed the small ornament and said "give it to me; I will give it to him".
Bella knew he wouldn't and was about to leave when Aro softly came up behind her saying
"What are you doing Isabella?"
She turned and repeated herself looking as honest as possible as she explained the problem.
Aro eyed the ornament and after investigating it he gave it back to Bella. He then nodded his head towards the guard approving Bella's request as he said "After this you will bring Mr Swan to the airport and make sure he uses the tickets."
The moment the door was opened; Charlie came out carrying his suitcases with an unfriendly expression on his face. As soon as he gazed at Bella Charlie instantly recognized the caution in her stance; after all she had lived with him for years and in those years he had learned to read her body-language.
"I came to wish you a good trip" Bella said as spontaneous as possible under the intolerable circumstances of Aro's presence.
"I thought you'd be taking me to the airport." Charlie bluntly said but was thankfully able to disguise his disappointment.
"The plans have changed..." she turned and motioned with her hand to the guard as she explained "John has offered to do the honours. However I could not let you leave without saying goodbye and giving you back the locket with your daughter's portrait". She said holding the object up for scrutiny and hoping he would accept it without a trace of surprise. She then opened his palm and slowly placed the small golden object in his hand. Once he had taken it she slipped her hand in his and shook it. Thankfully her father did not even flinch when he felt the piece of paper pass into his hands.
She retracted her hand and regarded him as she softly said "I am sorry you did not find what you were looking for and I wish I could have helped you. I too have lost someone precious to me and have difficulty to endure the sadness that accompanies such a loss. I hope that you find happiness and peace in your life. Please don't think too badly of my family they were only guarding their treasures"
With this said she softly said "Goodbye Mr Swan" and bowed her head in friendship. Then she turned, leaving him alone with the guard as she forced herself to walk out the door without a sign of emotion, hoping that he would be able to do the same.
Charlie was waiting to board his flight; his mind drifting back to all the things he had heard and seen in Greece. Although he had always hoped to see his daughter again; he never, in his wildest fantasy, expected to see her like that. She hadn't aged a day and those red eyes!
"What the hell is going on?" he murmured to himself and at the same moment someone bumped into his legs with the luggage carrier.
Charlie turned around and was about to unload his frustrations on the person behind him but seeing another female passenger he quickly corrected his facial expression as she apologized
"I'm sorry Mr….?"
He answered "Swan, and don't worry about it, no harm done".
As he turned to look ahead she started to talk "Was this your first trip to Greece?"
Charlie looked turned around again and quickly said "Yes" and when he turned to face the line-up he absentmindedly added "It will also be my last"
"I take it that the trip was a disappointment?" she said. He wasn't sure if she was nosy or just trying to be amiable.
He now turned towards the blond scrutinizing her features as she waited for his answer.
"I'm sorry, but I didn't catch your name" he suspiciously said.
"You're right, how rude of me! My name is Maureen Koichopolos" she said offering him her hand.
He shook it giving her an inquisitive stare "You may have a Greek name but you also have an American accent; I take it you have come in search of your parents' heritage?"
"You got me there!" she cheerfully said "I have been visiting my parents' family and enjoying Greek culture".
"Well, I hope you liked your visit" he said half mumbling to himself.
Hearing someone clear their throat he turned around and realized the man behind 'check in' was impatiently motioning him to step forward. In his haste to get his boarding pass he swiftly forgot her presence. Especially when the man swiftly said "Oh Mr Swan; you seem to be in the wrong line. You have a first class ticket"
"Does that mean I can't check in here?"
"No, of course not, it only means you didn't have to stand in this long line but now that you're here; shall we check you in?"
Once he was finished checking in, Charlie made a bee-line for customs, determined to get out of this place as soon as possible.
He sat in the designated room in the departure hall, waiting to board when he noticed the same woman enter the room. It was only when she sat down in a row on the other end of the room that his suspicion of her diminished. It was however revived when he took his seat on the plane for as he looked up from his reading material he saw her take the chair next to his.
"What a pleasant surprise to see you again!" she said while placing her hand-baggage in the compartment above.
Charlie just nodded his head to her in recognition but from that moment on, he started to become paranoid. He hadn't dared to look at the piece of paper Bells had given him and it felt like it was burning a hole in his pocket. This promised to be a long trip!
He put in his stereo earphones and took out a book in hopes of discouraging any further conversation and after about 20 minutes the plane was finally taxiing down the runway.
Looking out the window he watched the markers on the runway pass by until the plane stood still, waiting for its turn to take-off.
Once the plane left the ground Charlie heaved a profound sigh feeling a suffocating weight slowly lifting from his shoulders. He scrutinized the sky until the plane rose above the clouds and then closed his eyes to slip back into his thoughts. He had to find out what had happened to Bells and what was going on; but where to begin?
Once the plane had levelled out and the seat-belt lights went off he went to the restroom. He hadn't dared to even look at the piece of paper Bella had given him for fear of being watched.
As soon as he had locked the door he dug into his pocket and pulled out the note slowly unfolding it, curiosity trumping his fear.
Dear Mr Swan,
It was most unfortunate that you were misinformed about your daughter's existence in Rome and that my fiancé had concluded that you had come for me. As you must have noticed my family and I wish to keep a low profile.
I feel you're sorrow as if it were my own; our minds are silent and yet our voices cry injustice at our loss. Be sure; the truth is possible although difficult to find for it is hidden and guarded daily…..annually. I wish you luck and happiness for the future.
Isabella Scoperto
He read and reread the note. Knowing his daughter, it had to be a message of some kind and yet he couldn't for the life of him, comprehend what it was. Maybe he would have to do some brainstorming with Sue. She usually had a lot of ideas, sometimes some really weird ones; but considering the last half week, Charlie was afraid that he would have to look for answers in that direction.
Realizing that his action might be monitored; staying on the lavatory for too long would only make any spies suspicious. God, when had he become so paranoid? Well…..he nodded at his reflection as he contemplated that having spent the last few days in an old mansion with a bunch of really bizarre people would have a habit of doing that to someone.
Deciding that staring at this note or the baffled expression on his face would not bring him closer to solving the mystery. He then refolded the note and put it back in the small pocket of his jeans; just in case.
Once he was back in his seat he dug into his other pocket and found his cellular phone; quickly attaching the headset for privacy he found Sue's number, punched it in and waited. After a couple of seconds her familiar face was shown on the small screen but he had turned the phone so that only he could see and thankfully her concerned voice was not heard by anyone but him.
"Charlie, thank god! Where have you been? I heard you disappeared in Italy; Jacob called me saying he couldn't find you anywhere"
Trying to keep all emotion out of his voice he answered "I'm sorry Sue but I couldn't call you till now. As soon as I get back home I'll try to explain everything to you. I'll be arriving at Sea-Tac airport on Delta flight out of Paris, France".
"But what the hell happened? Did you find out anything?" Sue probed and then with a touch of frustration in her voice she added "I have been scared out of my wits!"
"I'm sorry honey but it will have to wait; anyway I'm on my way home". Having said that he gave her a stern look which silently told her that something was wrong "I will have to transfer to another plane in Paris; I just hope I don't have any problems finding my flight out to Seattle".
After a moment's silence he hastily added "I also called to ask if you can pick me up at Sea-Tac; I expect to arrive in about 15 hours. According to my ticket it will arrive at 12:30 in the afternoon; your time".
Sue was quick to understand that Charlie's wasn't able to speak freely so instead of raising further questions she swiftly answered "No problem, I'll be there"
Relieved that he had gotten a hold of Sue and seeing that not everything in his world had been turned upside down he fell into sleep. At first it soothed his agitated nerves but slowly he became restless as a dream began to take form.
He relived Bella's burial and then saw her body levitate out of the grave. Her eyes were closed but when she opened them he looked into dark red eyes instead of the chocolate brown ones she had inherited from him.
She opened her mouth and quietly whispered "our minds are silent and yet our voices cry injustice at our loss. Be sure; the truth is possible although difficult to find, for it is hidden and guarded daily".
He then saw Aro Scoperto give her his hand and encompass it with the other as he had done to Charlie only now he saw a room full of people with crimson eyes and Edward and Alice beside her; he also saw a repeat of the amazed reaction he had given him.
In his dream he asked; "what is going on?"
Bella whispered "silence" and brought her index finger to her lips.
With a shock he awoke with an attendant at his side. "I'm sorry if I woke you sir but you seemed to be having an unpleasant dream and because we are about to serve the meals I thought you wouldn't mind. Can you please raise your chair and pull out your table?"
That evening the guard assigned to bring Charlie to the airport came to rapport that everything had gone as planned and the human had left the airport on a plane heading to Paris.
Soon after hearing this Aro came out of his office and heard Bella's footstep following him. She then she reached out to gently touch his shoulder and when he turned around she asked
"Please Aro can you tell me if he is safely on his way to America?"
"Yes, my dear. I had him in first class to make sure he would have a good flight!"
"Thank you" she sighed the relief seeping into her voice. Aro leaned in to softly whisper "you need not thank me; after all you are my mate". His mouth came closer to her neck and he slowly nibbled on it gradually moving his tong up to her ear lobe.
Although her body had provided proof of Caius's demise; it was still torture to think of and she asked "Please Aro, would you give me some time to mourn?"
"I can't; I will not watch you wither like Marcus". Pulling her back towards his chest he whispered "It will always be difficult; you need to close things and go further" Then sweeping her hair from her neck he exposed it to his kisses.
Letting her go he said "You have made me very happy my dear! Your place will be beside me from now on! I know Caius was quite tolerant, that however will not be the case with me. I am a follower of the old traditions as Caius was. He however conformed; probably as a result of your bond. I now possess every inch of you and you are duty bound to pamper your mate; so come my love".
At hearing this Bella unconsciously tried to withdraw but Aro quickly corrected her by pulling her along. He could feel her rebellion surfacing and although he knew this would happen but hadn't realized it would transpire so quickly.
Then he swiftly turned his face towards Bella and she saw his eyes squint as he warned
"You're fathers life; even the quality of it is, and will always be, dependent on your behaviour". Then squeezing her chin he added "Always remember that my dear".
Once they reached his room they were inadvertently engaged in a tug of war but before Bella realized what was happening Aro had pinned her to his bed saying "Please my love, don't force me to break your spirit by using my powers over you".
That night he let his demon surface and she brought hers to match. They fought for dominion but she couldn't match his strength and after hours of extreme lust she laid under his spent body.
In this downtime she allowed her spirit to fly bemoaning her loss. She had never experienced love as she had while at Caius's side and although her body unhappily relished Aro's lustful touch there was and would always be something missing in their play.
*origin ~ The pied piper of Hamelin (a well-known story from the tales of the Brothers Grimm)
A legend concerning the departure or death of a great number of children from the town of Hamelin (Hameln), Lower Saxony, Germany, in the Middle Ages (26th of June 1284) was used by the Brothers Grimm to write this story in their book; The Tales from the Brothers Grimm.
