Chapter Eleven: Caius

What in goodness name had possessed me to kiss her? It frustrated me that I had enjoyed it for a few seconds, before my senses reacted and I released her. IDIOT! I screamed at myself, before realizing what I had thought. Damn the stupid human for making me think like one of her modern new-fangled toys. I was Caius Volturi and I would not be changed. Anger hate and vindictiveness had ruled my life for so long, and it would remain that way.

It occurred to me that the other female- Lisa, was still there. I thought I had gotten my point across in the clearest way possible. "In case it is not clear Lisa," I spat out her name, "I am not interested, I would thank you to leave now."

She walked off in tears. I felt pleased in my own sadistic way.

"Why the hell were you kissing me?"

I focused my attention on Isabella. She was yelling at me. Why? I had just gotten rid of the immensely vexing human female. "I imagined that you disliked Lisa's presence." Now that I said it out loud, I realized what a ridiculous explanation. Also I never did anything for other's benefit, why was I beginning now?

A flicker of unidentifiable emotions ran across Isabella's face. "Well yes, but what's wrong with telling her to shove off?"

I had done her a favor and now she was complaining? Ungrateful inferior species. "I did not think that would get the message across." Some passer-by's were staring at us curiously now, but as none of them spoke English fluently, I was not overly worried.

"So you just grab me and kiss me? What is up with that? Haven't you got any decency? I've got a boyfriend for crissakes, you don't just grab someone randomly and start swallowing their lips!"

What? Had the human thought that the kiss meant something? It was a meaningless gesture! Admittedly I had not even touched a female in over several centuries and she was the first, but she meant nothing to me! It was barely even something worth mentioning!

"The least you could do is apologize!" She screamed at me.

Why should I apologize? It worked hadn't it?

When I said nothing, she stalked off down the path.

I followed. Usually women liked to be kissed did they not? Her reaction was at the very least very unexpected. For some reason that made me respect her. Odd. I had not felt anything marginally close to respect for a human….. Ever. They were food- mere substance, nothing more.

I followed her though, watching as she seemed to calm somewhat- her shoulders relaxing into a less offensive position. She didn't slow down though and although I could have kept her pace easily, I stayed a few steps behind her, I was pretty sure that she would not appreciate my presence right then.

Since when had I ever thought of other's feelings? What was it about this human that made me reconsider everything in my life that I had set into stone? I would not give up. I would not change for this….. Inferior human. She annoyed me so much to the point where I wanted to set myself alight merely to prevent myself from ever having to hear her voice again.

I tried to calm myself with images of me pinning Aro to the ground and tearing off his limbs- saving his head for last, then watching his ashes burn….. Next I decided on Felix. Ripping his arms off- throwing them in to a fire…..

I hadn't noticed the girl had ducked into a shoe store until I realized her scent was almost masked by the harsh scent of oil, dust, grit, plastic chemicals and oiled leather.

I followed, wincing slightly as the smell intensified. The girl had her back to me, pointedly ignoring me. I wasn't sure why I cared.

Her attention was stubbornly fixed on a pair of shoes that looked more like torture implements than things to be worn on feet. "They look painful."

"They are." She began before realizing her mistake. She clamped her mouth shut. It was almost pitiful.

"If they are then why are you here?"

She opened her mouth again, then shut it, then let out a growl of frustration. She slammed the shoes back down onto the stand and stormed out.

Now I finally understood why she was so irritating. It was enjoyable.

That stopped me. Enjoyable?

~~~(O.o)~~~

Bella.

I stormed out, annoyed that the door was hooked open so that I couldn't slam it for effect. I knew Caius would follow me out, so I glanced around for the nearest store so that I could evade him. I would have liked nothing better than to run straight back to the castle, go to my room, slam the door, and take out all my anger on the walls. We were redecorating, and there were bound to be some sledgehammers lying around even if Jane liked destroying the furniture by hand. And if Caius butted in…. I'd see what a sledgehammer would look like embedded in his face.

But I knew the best way to get back at him was to keep walking around in circles in Volterra. He hated it outside the castle- so I'd make him stay outside the castle.

I stepped into a jewellery store where the lights were so bright there would be no way that Caius could come in. I pretended to browse among the wedding rings earning concerned glances from the sales assistant for half an hour, then stepped outside, head swimming from images of shiny diamonds. I didn't glance to either side of me, sure that Caius was closing in, ready to drag me back to the castle, but I wasn't going to let that happen.

I entered several other stores, pretending to browse for an hour each until I got bored or until the glares the shopkeepers gave me- for being there for so long but not buying anything- drove me out.

I was just exiting the latest store when I saw something across from me. 'Internet Volterra di Cafe'

Internet Café!

I all but bolted for the door, quickly paid the guy at the front and plonked down in front of one of the old computers. Now I was faced with the dilemma of who to email first.

I quickly opened up my account seeing over twenty emails from Charlie, Renee, Mike, Angela, and Alice.

Mom had sent around seven emails, each several pages long.

Being the good daughter that I was, I steadily wrote a reply to each one, telling her about my fictional life in college. Most of her questions in her emails were typical Renee, she even went so far as to ask me whether I'd found a cute Italian guy. If anyone else had asked, I would have been having a major spaz out, but this was my mom, and I knew she knew that I would never cheat on Edward.

Speaking of which…..

I was still pissed off at Caius. What right did he have to go around grabbing me and kissing me? NONE! Sure I was very pleased at the effect on Lisa, but still. It wasn't like I had liked the kiss. It wasn't like it meant anything. I was positive it didn't mean anything to Caius, and it sure didn't mean anything to me. Yeah. It was nothing. NOTHING. I reminded myself.

Finishing the one to Renee, I opened up Charlie's one.

Police officer to the core, he had made a long list of precautions for me to take, take my can of pepper spray everywhere I go- don't stay out later than eleven o'clock- don't talk to strangers- don't, don't, don't, don't. He obviously didn't know these were all void with me living with vampires. Heck- if he knew, he'd probably have a heart attack.

I carefully typed a reply, knowing that Charlie would pay close attention to the details and freak if he thought anything was wrong.

Mike and Angela were next, Mike just a short email asking for details about life in Italy- it seemed like he had finally resigned himself to the fact that I was with Edward- and Angela with a longer one, talking about her life at Dartmouth, and complaining lightly that we weren't together. Ben had apparently gone to Dartmouth with her and they were roommates. I was happy for her.

I typed a reply, trying to make it sound realistic. Angela. Next to Alice, she was my best friend.

Jessica hadn't bothered to email.

Alice's was interesting.

Dear Bella:

I know you won't get this until a week later, but I thought I'd email you now! It is SO frustrating not being able to see what you are doing! Our co-operation with the pack means I can't see anything!

PLEASE tell me you are alright! I cannot stand the thought of the state of your clothes right now! Without me, how will you survive? Like Edward will say in the letter he will post tomorrow- Victoria's GONE! We know she's still out there, but we can't find a single trace of her.

Please do me a favor and at least try to make yourself dress nicely please? For me?

Typical Alice- not worried about Victoria so much as my state of dress.

Are the Volturi treating you okay? I don't know because I can't SEE! Please give me details! I hate not knowing!

So yeah, like Edward says in his letter- I miss you and can't wait till I see you again! Bye!

-Alice

I gave a rather self-conscious smile.

I replied:

Dear Alice:

I miss you too- so much, and don't worry about my fashion sense. Jane here has got me covered. She's almost exactly like you Alice, she's got my closet stocked with so many designer labels I can't identify half of them- I need you Alice!

As to being okay, I guess I am, although you'll never guess who has been assigned to protect me. Although you being you Alice, I guess you already know who I'm going to say. Caius.

He's not at my throat trying to kill me 24/7 but sometimes I wish he was! He is an absolute total complete moronic JERK! Even more than Emmett is sometimes- tell him that for me, I bet he'll laugh. So Victoria's gone? Please tell me Charlie's safe, do you have any idea of what her plans might be now?

Is Jake back? I know how much you hate the wolves blah, blah, blah, but he's my best friend too.

The Volturi are nice- a lot nicer than I would ever have dreamed possible, no-one's tried to rip out my throat yet- although one has gotten close. (Caius)

See you in six months Alice, I bet you will be impressed by what I am wearing!

-Always with love, Bella

I leaned back in my chair satisfied. Then I opened up another window and sent another email to Alice, asking her to pass it on to Edward.

Dear Edward:

I love you so much. Don't freak out at Caius being asked to protect me- mainly he just follows me around sulking at his bad luck- nothing's tried to hurt me yet and I feel almost at home here, Jane, Alec, Felix and Demetri are all a lot nicer than they look.

Don't go all protective on me and rush over here to Volterra. They need you in Forks. How bad is it there? Don't you dare lie to me- I have a right to know. How many are dying in Seattle? What's the situation exactly? When exactly did Victoria vanish? The whole shizbang.

-Bella

I wanted to write 'with all my love, Bella' but for some reason it sounded too soppy for me. I clicked send and then drummed my fingers restlessly on the keys. I'd have to go back to the castle sooner or later. I signed out of the computer and shut it down.

Exiting the café, I realized how long I had been wandering around. The sky was darkening and the streets were mainly empty.

I hugged my bag closer and set on in the general direction of the castle. I couldn't see Caius.

I walked for a few more streets before realizing Caius was missing. "Caius?" I whispered quietly. If he was around, he could hear it.

"Caius? This isn't funny!"

I was lost. Damn well officially lost, my stupid vampire guardian had deserted me and I was lost in a foreign city in Italy.

I made a couple of wrong turns and ended up in a dark alleyway. How many times had I read about stereotypical situations in the newspaper? Dark alleyways lead to a. Robbery, b. Death, c. Attacks…. Ect, ect, ect. Exactly the type of scenario Charlie would warn me against.

I immediately turned to go back to the main road, but suddenly, before I could even gasp, a figure materialized in front of me.

The guy had moved way too fast for a human, and was now standing inches from me. Vampire.

It was fine. It was fine. Hunting was prohibited by the Volturi inside Volterra. Edward had told me so himself. I drew myself up nervously. "If you're looking for the Volturi they're by the castle." I squeaked.

The mysterious guy laughed. "Oh no…" His voice was smooth, melodic. "I am not looking for the Volturi- their end will come soon enough."

"Okay?" I tried to edge backwards. A stupid motion. I tripped, and would have gone sprawling if someone else caught me with hard cold arms.

I glanced up, hoping against hope that it was Caius. Even him I would welcome now.

It wasn't.

Blood-red eyes, intense and vivid stared back at me. They weren't clouded like Aro, Caius or Marcus or even the dark ruby shade of the Volturi guard. This vampire was a newborn.

Two vampires.

The newborn released me and I staggered upright. I was subconsciously wondering why he hadn't attacked yet. Edward said newborns were uncontrollable.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"Well you were foolish enough to let on that you knew the Volturi." The first figure continued. "At first we were merely going to drain you as a message to the Volturi, that even their sacred city is not safe…. But now- tell me girl, how do you know of the Volturi, and vampires- and why have they left you alive for so long?"

I suddenly didn't feel so afraid anymore. A rush of heat burnt through me, burning away the fear. "That's none of your business."

My only hope was to keep him distracted. Keep him talking.

"Oh I think it is."

"Why?"

The figure shifted forwards so that in the dim glow of the not-so near streetlamp, illuminated his handsome features. His skin was a shade of white, so pale it was brighter than snow, and his eyes were a fiery red with a circle of black around the iris. His features were foreign so I assumed he came from up north. "You are stalling," he confirmed. "Who do you think will be coming for you?"

"No one." My voice was stronger than I felt. "And I want to know why you want to know before I tell you what I know."

The man laughed lightly, "Such fire." He muttered. Then a second later, my face and side exploded with pain as I was flung against the wall of the alley.

I slumped to the ground, holding my stinging cheek.

"Ow." I muttered dazedly. My fingers groped across the ground. Anything for a weapon. I knew they would be useless against vampires, but hey- why not go down fighting? They were going to kill me anyway, so I wasn't going to tell them anything. Nope.

My fingers came in contact with something long and smooth. I gripped it tightly. It felt like a steel pole.

I felt fingers around my throat, dragging me upwards, slowly tigtening. I was going to die. Where was Caius? Where was Jane? Where was Felix? Where was Demetri? Where was anyone? Wasn't Volterra meant to be safe? Wasn't Caius meant to protect me? Why the hell did these things happen to me?

The pole wasn't going to do anything.

I could see my captor's eyes again, they were now pure black with thirst. He was approaching me now, his teeth bared, venom glistening on his teeth.

No! I screamed to myself. I swung the pole up, slamming it into the vampire's gut. He staggered back a step- more out of shock than pain. I regained my footing and tried to run. But before I could even take two steps, I was pinned against the wall again, the pole falling noisily to the ground.

"I was going to make it quick for you after you told me what you knew. A thank you- if you will, but now you've really. Pissed. Me. Off." He was getting closer again, there was nothing I could do- nothing anyone could do... Edward!

I began muttering my goodbyes. Maybe someone could hear them, maybe someone would help. I couldn't scream, I had no air left.

"I love you Edward, I love you Alice, I love you Charlie, I love you Renee, I love you Jane, I love you Jasper, I love you Emmett, I love you Angela…."

The vampire's head was getting closer and closer. Why was he being so slow?

"I love you Felix, I love you Demetri, I love you Mike, I love you Jacob, I love you Carlisle, I love you Esme, I love you Rosalie, I love you Alec….. Caius…."

My words trailed off as the vampire bent his head down so that his mouth brushed my neck. What did I want to say about Caius? Something that summed him up. Something that explained him fully. I might as well say it. He wasn't going to hear it.

"Caius….."

Should I say it?

"Caius….. You piss me off."

And there was the screech of tearing metal and I was dropped to the ground.

Standing over me, his eyes bright with fury, and his silver hair flowing back….. Caius.

Thank you to:

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