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 40 – Hope for the best, expect the worst and take what comes *

As Carlisle and the others were discussing the failure and further steps they might take to help Caius Athenodora decided to look in on her former mate. She had known him for centuries and more than anyone else perceived that his anger and frustration at his inability to reclaim his memory, may cause him to react unpredictably.

Upon approaching his chambers she noticed strange sounds emanating from behind the door and softly asked "can I come in?"

Expecting an irrationally angry answer from the other side she was surprised when it did not come. Then gradually opening the door she looked at the bed.

They were all alerted by Athenodora's shout for help. Carlisle swiftly passed her followed by Edward; Athenodora however remained frozen at the threshold, helplessly surveying her former mate.

Bending over Caius, Carlisle lifted his eyelids and looking into his eyes he saw that Caius was half-conscious; his eyes moving back and forth but perceiving nothing. The constant moaning was his body's subconscious reaction to the pain he was feeling as blood trickled from his eyes, ears and mouth.

"What is going on?" Marcus asked Carlisle as he slowly passed Athenodora.

"I don't know; neither Jasper nor Alice had any noticeable reaction but then the dose Caius took was five times stronger and double at that" Carlisle sighed.

"But why the blood?" asked Athenodora.

Carlisle kept his eyes and attention on Caius as he explained "As I said, I don't know. These reactions have never been recorded but then, these drugs have never been used on Vampires. Thankfully, up to now he hasn't lost much blood and I am hoping that he will not lose more otherwise it will deplete him".

Then looking at Edward he added "A vampire cannot die and yet I have never seen one spontaneously bleed like this. Internal bleeding doesn't ever happen to our species and I don't know how it will affect him. It would be helpful if we could get a supply of blood in the event his condition becomes critical"

Turning toward his foster father, Edward asked hopefully "Didn't you work in this area for a while? Maybe you can use your influence to score a potential supplier"

"Yes, years ago I worked in a hospital; about a 70 mile drive from here. I worked with Dr. Berglund for years; Kristoffer and I still contact each other once in a while and he owes me one. There are only two problems. First of all; it was years ago and I haven't aged since then".

"Which will probably catch his attention" Edward sarcastically countered.

Carlisle smiled and looking at Edward he dryly replied "Mm; undoubtedly!"

Then his face became grave as he nodded his head towards Caius saying "The second problem is that I don't dare leave his side".

"I remember the place. Maybe I can help; after all they know me as your son so maybe I can pass myself off as your grandson and pick it up".

Carlisle pondered on the prospect for a few minutes and then replied "Good idea; if I call his office ahead of time to see if he is still there; maybe he can have it ready for you when you arrive".

"I'm on it, just give me the address" Edward said as he went to the hall closet to grab his coat.

Just as Edward re-entered the room he found Carlisle hurriedly gathering papers. A few moments later Carlisle turned and deposited said papers in Edwards hands saying "Here is the address and the necessary paperwork. The trip is long enough without getting lost so I'd use the car navigation just in case. In the meanwhile I'll contact him".

Alexia grabbed Edward's arm as he was about to leave. He turned and seeing the worried look on her face he brushed her cheek and gave her his lopsided smile saying "don't worry Alexia, this is not dangerous".

She cocked her head and with a mischievous smile replying "Then it shouldn't be a problem for me to come with you".

With all the apprehension surrounding their cabin Alice had become anxious and irritated. Then hearing their conversation she asked "Do you guys mind if I tag along?"

Edward gave her an inquisitive look to which Alice responded by declaring "I have to get out of here; I'm about to climb the walls. Maybe if I go with you I can clear my mind"

Edward shrugged his shoulders and teasingly his sister he said "Why not; we'll make a family outing of it"

In passing her step-brother, Alice gave him a mischievous face and playfully stuck her tong out as she picked up her purse on the way towards the door. It was a small and familiar gesture that he hadn't seen from her for such a long time that it tugged at his heart.

While Edward drove Alice got the call from Carlisle saying that everything had been arranged with the good doctor.

Soon after they arrived at the hospital. Both Edward and Alice quickly reassessed their surroundings; everything had changed and it was only because the Norwegians were very careful with their heritage that the building still stood.

They looked at the signs in the hallways and asked the reception where they could find the good doctor. When they arrived at the intended "department of Hematology" and notified the nurse of the appointment with the doctor, she cheerfully asked them to sit in the waiting room while she called the doctor.

It was then that Edward suddenly muttered "damn, I forgot the papers requesting the blood from the hospital's blood bank".

He was about to retrieve them when Alice volunteered. She just emerged from the car with said papers and was about to cross the road when she froze; under the street lantern a car slowly parked and two men swiftly got out. Humans would find this a routine event; Alice however looked with vampire eyes and the graceful movements and pale complexions of the distant figures caused her stomach to turn.

She automatically hid in the shadow of the trees and when they entered the building she followed leaving a certain distance between them and herself. The two vampires took the elevators and Alice realized they knew exactly where to go.

Swiftly making her way to the third floor she automatically opened her cell phone to call Edward. This slowed her down but she had to try. While listening to the ring tone she mumbled "pick up Edward, please pick up!"

By the time she arrived at the room where she had last seen her sibling and his mate, they were gone. Carefully looking around she saw nothing and no one; it seemed the vampires had taken their prey and made a hasty retreat. Scanning the parking area she saw the vampires car merge into the traffic and knew it was impossible to follow.

After a moments hesitation she went back to the nurse who had helped them and as soon as the nurse spotted her, Alice saw the tension on the woman's face grow. Being alone on duty, the nurse tried to flee but Alice, although careful not to move in Vampire strides easily caught up with her. Covering the woman's mouth with her hand she pulled her into a nearby closet.

Angrily scanning the nurse's face as she pinned her against the wall Alice inquired "I came back to the room but no longer see my brother or his girlfriend. What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything" the nurse indignantly replied.

Alice smiled maliciously, knowing it would break the woman's confidence and swiftly asked "Then why did you run?"

"I had to leave and check on a patient" the nurse swiftly replied but Alice heard apprehension permeate her words.

Knowing she had no choice, Alice pulled off her sunglasses and threatened "Either you tell me here and now or I promise you will regret it".

The nurse, seeing her red orbs was terrified and became quiet and after a moments hesitation she broke down saying "There were some men here about a month ago saying they were looking for you and your family. At first I wouldn't say anything; I have heard of your grandfather's help in starting the hospital. My superiors speak highly of him and they are very grateful for his past contributions".

"So you paid him back by betraying his grandson!" Alice sneered.

"It's not like that! They threatened to kill my child if didn't help or if I warned Dr. Cullen in any way. I really had no choice; please believe me" she pleaded.

Alice was still angry but seeing the desperation in the woman's eyes and knowing the ruthlessness of the Volturi she felt empathy for this stranger. In an attempt to get as much information as possible Alice asked "does doctor Berglund know of this or has he been threatened in any way?"

"Not that I know of; but he wouldn't confide that to me" she swiftly answered.

"Did you even call him?" Alice asked.

"I was warned not to; they said I would pay a dear price if I did" she whispered.

Keeping the nurse pinned to the wall Alice stood in front of the door blocking any retreat. Then she placed her index finger on her lips in an attempt to keep the woman silent as she called Carlisle to inform him of the situation.

While Alice listened to the ring tone the nurse, afraid that Alice would take her revenge, attempted to get out of the small room. She was automatically rebuked as Alice warned her "I won't hurt you but don't try my patience"

After a moment or two Alice herd the receiver click "Carlisle here; what's going on? Why did you break radio silence?"

"I'm sorry Carlisle but the Volturi took Edward and Alexia or at least had them taken" Then looking at the nurse she said "It seems they threatened the nurse here into telling them if you or any of us were to come around"

Carlisle was very silent, absorbing the information Alice had given him. Then Alice heard the troubled tenor in his voice as he asked "How could they have known we were in Norway?"

Alice, understanding his concern replied "I don't know; maybe Aro has been looking into our past, finding old sites where we had resided. Otherwise they wouldn't know to blackmail the nurse and who knows who else". After a moment of uncomfortable silence she added "They just missed getting a hold of me and I couldn't follow them; what do you want me to do now?"

"Don't torment yourself, you couldn't have helped Edward; that would only have gotten you captured as well. No... Its better that you get the blood back to us as soon as possible. Caius has had a couple of attacks since you left and has lost a considerable amount of blood in the process. If we lose Caius than we will be fugitives for eternity".

"OK, I have the nurse with me" she said and then listened to his instructions. After a moment or two she answered "Yes, I will make sure she calls the doctor and will talk to him myself".

Putting away her cell she looked at the nurse "The way I see it is; you owe us a favour. I will pose as a your friend and we will both go back to the reception desk. Then you will call the doctor and give me the phone".

"But what if they find out?" The nurse nervously asked.

Alice put on her sunglasses and displayed a distasteful smile saying "They have left the premises with their captives and I doubt they will come back".

Opening the door she looked down the hallway to see if anyone was there, seeing no one they left the closet. Both returned to the reception and as Alice looked to the side she saw the fear permeate the woman's face. She bent over and whispered "smile; I'm supposed to be your best friend" as she herself plastered an amiable smile on her own face.

Alice then asked the nurse to call the doctor; it took a while to track him down but when it finally happened Alice picked the phone out of the nurses hand. Before the woman could leave she grabbed her wrist as she talked to the good doctor. "Dr Berglund, my name is irrelevant but I have come here at the request of my grandfather. I understand he has contacted you and that you have made an arrangement with him"

After a moment of hesitation the voice on the other end of the line said "I thought his grandson would come?"

Alice quickly informed him "He was held up and so my grandfather sent me. Can I come to your office?"

She felt a waver of reluctance but a moment later he told her where to find him.

Looking at the nurse she erased her memory of their meeting and discussion and then knowing she would have difficulty finding the doctor in this hospital maze 'suggested' the nurse bring her to the good doctor.

It took them about fifteen minutes to get to there and when they arrived Dr. Berglund was perplexed by the presence of the nurse saying "you may go attend to the desk."

The nurse departed without hesitation or fear leaving the doctor and Alice alone.

Having been betrayed by the nurse Alice kept her eyes on the doctor and introduced herself. Instead of seeing the anxiousness the nurse had portrayed earlier he regarded her with astonishment saying "you are the spitting image of one of Carlisle daughters".

Smiling at that she answered "Yeah well, I get that a lot. It seems that my mom's genes were very strong".

He looked at her wistfully saying "It's not only her looks but also her traits that you inherited".

Feeling a little uncomfortable at his observations Alice gave him the papers and said "My grandfather is very grateful that you would help".

At that moment he smiled then reading the signed papers Carlisle had given his sibling, the doctor promptly collected the required supplies. Packing them carefully in a box with cooling elements he offered them to Alice and inconspicuously slipped a piece of paper in her hand as he shook it saying "please give my best wishes to your grandfather".

Alice quickly thanked the doctor and pulling her coat on she ran down the flight of steps and carefully exited the building. Afraid that Edward's car was being watched she ran a couple of blocks looking for a faster model that could get her home.

* Unknown