AN: Hold on folks, another bumpy ride in this chapter.

S. Meyer owns twilight

CHAPTER 15

JPOV

We headed back to the throne room and lined up. The Guard and our Masters kept their faces neutral. I focused my senses towards the Jury. Their emotions had changed since the start of the trial. They looked haggard. The suspicion had lessened against Aro. There was a huge feeling of betrayal towards Carlisle and disgust for Edward. The jury had only learnt half the truth so far. The worst was yet to come.

Since the start of the trial I had been stockpiling emotions from Rose, Em and Esme. When Rose had testified on my behalf I absorbed the emotions of the jury into the mix. I took in Rose's pain and hatred as she shared the secret break in her soul. A gigantic boulder of emotions hung around my neck, it was cocooned in my gift and growing constantly, but I was more than capable of handling it. I would take the negativity born out of Carlisle and Edward's arrogance and throw the full force of it at them.

Aro started talking again. He was really going for the jugular today and I loved every minute of it. I felt lighter, stronger, and cleaner. This was a purge for us all. "How do you explain your treatment of Esme?" Aro asked. Carlisle felt afraid for the first time since the trial started "I love her."
"Lie" Maggie confirmed. Carlisle's fear was gone, his anger at Maggie had returned.

"Was she the Bella to your Edward?" Aro's voice was deceptively calm. "She is my mate and Edward's mother, she wanted a son." Carlisle answered. Aro nodded, the feeling of malice spiked in his emotional signature. "Yes, Carlisle. I understand the drive to fulfill your mate's every wish and desire" Carlisle's anger fade and the prickle of hope appeared in him, it would not last long. "Even if it means filling the role of being his father and finding a traumatized woman you can manipulate into being his mother." Yep, there went his hope, his anger was back.

"We were a family! She was a good mother." He shouted. "And who better to fill the role of a mother than a tortured woman who had just lost a son." There were gasps all around the room. Esme started shaking; pain and relief warring within her. She needed this. She would be heard. She would take back the parts of her he had stolen and rise strong.

"I gave her a home, a son, a family!" Carlisle roared. Aro's voice remained steady. "Yes, Carlisle. You gave her a home where she was constantly monitored by your son and daughter, her every thought and decision was judged and criticized." Aro's voice was calm, he turned to Maggie and raised an eyebrow. "You speak the truth, Aro" she said sadly.

Aro continued. "Esme is a gem; precious and kind. What you've done to her is an atrocity. You lied to her, molded her into Edward's twisted ideal of a mother and crushed her personality until she was little more than a husk. She too came to you with trauma in her past and you lied to her, broke her."
"I didn't-" Carlisle started to protest. Aro cut him off. "Carlisle, who was it that told her she was your mate?" He asked. Carlisle's head dropped, he had no answer and was feeling sorry for himself. Aro turned to the Jury "Esme Platt is here today to offer her testimony." He walked over to her, she stood up and gritted her teeth. She was determined to get through this. "Once again, you can decline." He said as he offered his hand to the Jury. They didn't bat an eyelid before placing their fingers in his palm.

Esme clutched Aro's hand, she was so desperate for validation, for recognition. Esme's emotions fluctuated in contrast to Aro's and the jury. She felt relief, they felt hopelessness. She felt listened to, they felt neglected. She felt love, they felt hate. Her shaking stopped as the last memory passed to the witnesses. They felt pain, she felt calm. I sent her a jolt of pride. She had faced her past and looked it in the eye. I felt love and pride swirling around Marcus, I was glad the mask hid my smile.

Aro continued "we have a further witness, trained in mental health. She and her coven sister attempted to resolve the problems they witnessed in Carlisle and Esme's relationship." He nodded to Irina and Carmen, they joined him near the stage, holding out their hands for Aro to take. The emotions that had overwhelmed the jury became numb when they saw the Denalis. This was another nail in the Cullen coffin.

Aro repeated the process, sharing memories from Irina and Carmen with the Jury. Frustration. The room was flooded with it, the memories would showed their futile attempts to intervene. I'd felt that frustration every time we visited the Denali coven. The tide had turned, the jury had begun to accept the facts as Aro presented them. I couldn't thank the Denalis enough for their testimony, they were very highly respected in our world and they stood up for all of us. A few looked to Carlisle, trying to work out how he'd tricked them. He stared back, desperation oozing out of him. Edward crossed his arms and sneered at the jury, he wanted to avenge Carlisle.

Siobhan put her hand up. Aro smiled sadly "I believe now is a good time to pause. You have been shown a lot of painful memories and need time to digest what you have heard. We'll meet back here at dawn." He nodded to Alec and Jane, they escorted Carlisle and Edward to the dungeon. He turned to Caius and nodded. Caius walked and opened the doors behind the thrones, Sulpicia and Dora were there with trays of cups filled with warm, enriched, bear blood.

"We have been fortunate, very fortunate indeed, to have come across an Elder with a gift for healing. He has been assisting us in taking care of those in need of his services. I am also pleased and proud to announce that Ms. Hale and her mate, Mr. McCarthy have been learning his trade, they have helped us in many ways." Aro paused.

Marcus stood and joined Aro in the center of the room. "I have been a very lucky recipient to the Healer's powers." Many figures froze in shock, the audience and jury were staring at Marcus, scrutinizing him. "As you are all aware Didyme's passing has affected me deeply for the last millennia. The Healer has been able to lift the burden of my loss. I am still grieving for her, losing a true mate is one of the most painful experiences we can suffer, but I can survive the pain. The wives have with them one of our healer's greatest inventions. It is blood, I can assure you, but it is enriched. I can tell you the flavor is excellent. You may decline if you wish, just do us a courtesy and, if you prefer to hunt, do so outside Volterra."

The Denalis took a cup from Dora, many others looked uncertain but took a cup so as not to offend the wives. The Denalis drank and smiled, a few others took sips and then gulped the blood down. Aro, Marcus and Caius drank quickly, as did Esme, Rose and Emmett. The wives traversed the room, taking the empty cups. Conversation had started up and the tension in the room was easing.

Alistair walked from away from the other jury members and approached Aro "may I speak with Rosalie, Emmett and Esme?" He asked. Aro nodded and smiled "of course, the trial is on hold for the rest of the day, you don't need to ask permission to converse with anyone."
"You know what I'm going to tell them." Alistair said. He looked at Aro, almost challenging him to withdraw his permission. Aro kept his face neutral and replied "I can guess you're going to share your history and warn them about the dangers of corruption and royalty." Alistair nodded. Aro smiled and said "I have no problem with that, Alistair." Alistair looked confused, Aro explained "the only people here against their will are Edward and Carlisle. You can speak to whoever you wish to, in fact I happen to agree that your upcoming conversation is needed. Everyone deserves to make an informed decision."

"Did the Healer heal you?" Alistair asked. He was suspicious, extremely so. Aro's grin widened "he hasn't, but I can let you in on a little secret, I am not, nor have I ever been, the demented man I used to portray." Aro said lightly. "Why did you act that way?" Alistair asked. "I had a roll to fill, people had to see me as unpredictable. It stopped them from questioning my decisions."
"You're very cunning, Aro. I still don't trust you."
"I don't blame you, Alistair. Trust must be earned."

Alistair looked at Aro like he was trying to solve a puzzle. Aro continued; "Secrets and lies have built up over thousands of years. To move on and evolve we must expose the truth and accept the consequences. For us here in Volterra we must face our mistakes and take responsibility for them. Our world is changing and we will need people like you to keep us in check."
"What do you mean?" Alistair's emotions were a cycle of shock, distrust and fear. "We have a long way to go, but the way we govern our kind will change. There will be a position available for you and anyone you trust to act as an anti-corruption agency." Aro said. Alistair was unable to speak, Aro nodded and said "talk with the witnesses if you wish. Tell them anything you wish them to know."

Esme POV

Alistair walked towards us, he looked exceedingly uncomfortable. Shaken. I was proud of the Masters for their candor. "Could I speak with the three of you in private?" He asked. "Sure." Emmett agreed. We followed him out of the castle and away from Volterra.

Alistair stopped and looked around, sniffing the air. We were in a small forested area. "Have they treated you well?" He asked. I smiled "they've been very kind." A frown appeared on his face.

"Do any of you have gifts?" He asked us. Emmett nodded and added "just me, I can remove a gifts."
"Have you used it while aiding the Volturi?"
"Yes, I removed Edward's mind reading and Alice's clairvoyance."
"Why?" Alistair was firing off questions, assessing us. I was glad Emmett was being honest. Emmett explained "I lived with both of them, they were our coven mates and we saw how they abused their power. Edward's gift only picks up the thoughts at the front of your mind, he would broadcast them as he saw fit. I heard Edward telling Carlisle many of our own private thoughts." Emmett glanced as me sadly "all of Esme's thoughts were spilled, if she thought about her past Edward would tell Carlisle. If she thought about leaving Edward would tell Carlisle. Everyone has thoughts they don't act on or mean. Edward didn't see context or feel emotions."

"You protect the Volturi by doing this." Alistair said. Emmett replied. "I do. Everyone has secrets and reasons for keeping them. It is up to a person whether they share those secrets."
"But Aro's gift reveals secrets too." He countered. "It does." Emmett agreed "But people have a choice whether to touch his hand, the only time he uses it against the will of others is when the laws are broken. He asked us for permission to share our memories, we granted it. You see, when it comes to obtaining secrets Rose, Esme and I believe it is up to the individual involved to choose to reveal it. Aro respects that and it's a value he shares with us."

"You trust him?" Alistair asked, he was watching all three of us carefully. I answered "I do. I have spent a lot of time with the Healer, Emmett, Rose and the Kings. I was a mess when I arrived. I'd asked Carlisle for a divorce and he refused. I thought I was doomed to an eternity with him, trapped by his morals. Our old coven had been invited to Denali, Irina and Carmen pushed us to reconcile. They taught me how to find my voice. During our carefully disguised therapy sessions I noticed Carlisle was unwilling to budge, to listen to my needs. I realized how much of myself I'd given up, that's why I wanted to leave.

"When Marcus called us about Edward we headed straight here. I was terrified. Carlisle had told me how ruthless and bloodthirsty the Volturi were. But, then Aro read Carlisle. We were in the throne room surrounded by the guards, the wives, the Healers, the Horsemen and the Kings. Marcus saw Edward and Carlisle's mating bond and moved to inform Aro. Aro requested Marcus take me to their quarters, the Healer and the Wives followed behind." I looked Alistair straight in the eye "they were so gentle, so apologetic as they broke the news of Carlisle's actions. The Healer was there, helping me.

"I've been around the Volturi for the last two months. I know them and haven't found any cruelty or deception." I finished. "Do you still love Carlisle?" He asked me. That was a hard question "I did in the beginning, but the more I lost myself in the coven the more my emotions changed. I don't love him now. I don't know what I feel, to be honest. I think I'm still getting used to the idea of not having to control my thoughts."

He turned back to Emmett "you said you took Alice's gift?" Alistair asked. Emmett nodded and explained "we found out about her history. Alice had visions when she was human, seeing the future is a heavy burden, it broke her mind. Her parents put her in a mental institution. It was partially because she told them about the visions and partially because the visions made her hysterical.

"When she joined the coven she was used and manipulated by Carlisle and Edward, they abused her gift. Her mind slipped further away and she lived in a fantasy world. You'll hear Alice's story tomorrow" Emmett sighed, venom welling in his eyes "she is Carlisle's greatest crime. The Healer, Rose and I are doing everything we can to help her. I took her gift to give her the chance to heal and lift it's burden."

"The trial is going to get worse?" Alistair was startled. I answered. "Much worse. We have spent the last two months doing everything we can, but Alice is kept catatonic while the Healer heals the physical damage. We spend time with her, telling her we understand and we care. We do our best to make her feel safe. In this instance we will break our vow to keep her secret. She deserves justice. I can only hope she forgives us for our betrayal."

We were silent as we let Alistair process the information. "I need to tell you my history." He said after a while. "I tell you this in the hope that you'll guard yourselves from trusting too easily. My history is dark. I only hope it saves you from the betrayal I suffered." He took a deep breath and began.

"I was born in England in 1473, my mother's name was Elizabeth Woodville my father was King Edward IV. I was one of two sons; Edward, who was briefly King Edward V, and myself Richard, Duke of York and Knight of the Garter. We had four sisters. Edward was three years older than me and heir to the throne. We had a blessed childhood.

"As we got older my brother and I went our separate ways, our educational needs differed. I had moved to Middleham in Yorkshire with my wife to be trained for my duties as Duke, I was four when we married. Edward was in Ludlow training for his future role as King of England.

"I was little more than a child when my father died in 1483. His brother, my name sake, Richard Duke of Gloucester, was given power over us and the kingdom until my brother, Edward, was able to claim his full birthright. Upon my father's death Edward was automatically acknowledged as King Edward V. My uncle became Richard, Lord Protector, our guardian and advisor to the king. He was supposed to guide Edward, teach him about the countries in our empire, train him to fill the role of King.

"On the day my brother was to be coronated, I travelled to meet him and pledge my allegiance to him. I was grieving for the loss of my father and my wife's death two years previous. Anne was only eight when she passed. Richard took the opportunity and kidnapped the both of us. We were confined to a small section of the castle. At first it wasn't too bad, we had room to move, we were somewhat comfortable. Over time our prison shrank as my Uncle restricted our access more and more, fewer people saw us and we 'mysteriously disappeared.'

"Four years later, in 1487, he took us to the White Tower. He killed Edward to ensure the true heir to the kingdom was dead. He imprisoned me and threw my brother's corpse into my cell. I sat in a tiny room, watching as my brother rotted before me. The guards would feed me scraps, but it was never enough, I could feel myself dying slowly and it was painful. I'd go without food for days, the guards taunted me, my uncle had managed to strip Edward and I of our titles through a technicality. I was the 'Bastard Prince.' They started taking bets on when I'd die. There was never enough food or water, my clothes hung off my body, the once fine garments were in tatters.

"The taunting grew worse, but I grew stubborn. Every day I survived was a disappointment to my wardens. I started eating the rats and drinking their blood to survive. I grew sick and weak, but I was bloody determined. I hoped for the day Richard the Usurper would return to gloat. I wanted him to see the fire in my eyes. I wanted to win. Here I was; a highborn man, weak and desperate, but strong enough to survive anything he could inflict upon me. I wanted to show him that his cowardice and greed would not defeat me. He was the weak one and he would rot in a hell far worse than my brother and I rotted in our cell.

"He never came. As much as I disappointed the guards with my continued survival, by the end of each day my disappointment was worse. Each day the Usurper died a coward's death, in every way I could imagine." I could see that fire in Alistair's eyes, he looked frail but he had immense strength in his spirit. "You outlived your uncle, Alistair, and you will outshine the cowards and manipulators of this world." Rose said. He smiled at her, he looked like a grinning skull. "As will you Rosalie Hale." He said kindly.

Alistair took a breath and continued. "I don't know how long I was kept in the White Tower, but by the time I left my brother was bone and rotting sinew. A vampire broke into the tower and was shocked I was still alive. I was skeletal, immobile. He took pity on me and asked my name. The thought of saying the name I shared with the Usurper sickened me further. I said the first name I could think of 'Alistair.' We spoke at length, I told him my life story. If I was to die I'd make damn sure at least one being heard my tale. When the footsteps of the guard grew louder he asked how badly I wanted to live. I pointed to Edward's remains 'I will not turn out like him.' I said. He told me he was a vampire, then bit me.

"My sire left me in the cell to transform. I was thankful, the solitude I'd experienced had become a comfort. The silence was the closest thing to peace I experienced during my imprisonment. The venom burned through me, but I didn't flinch or cry out, my transformation wasn't painful. It enveloped me, warming me in ways I hadn't felt since I was a child. I embraced it and planned my escape. I knew the warmth wouldn't linger. I would be alive and dead at the same time."
"You were like Schrodinger's cat" Em said. He explained when he saw Alistair's confusion. "It's a paradox. A man put a cat in a box with ingredients for a fatal chain of events. After a while the cat is both alive and dead because of that earlier catalyst." Alistair grinned again, "yes, Emmett. You could say that as far as Richard was concerned I was living and dead at the same time in my cell. I hope that thought kept him awake at night."

"Please, continue Alistair." I asked. He picked up where he had left off. "When I awoke I broke through the door. I had planned to toy will the guards, but I was so thirsty. I killed them quickly, more mercy than they deserved. I fed from their bodies, its little comfort to think that they were forced to sustain me, after all they had withheld sustenance from my human body. I took every drop, sating my newborn thirst.

"When the haze of thirst lifted I knew I had to leave, the sound of humanity haunted and tempted me. My hearing was a curse, I could find no peace. My thirst was out of control and I didn't want to kill an innocent. My brother had been an innocent and I didn't want to take another pure heart out of this world. I have travelled ever since. I avoided learning what happened to the Usurper, after everything that he put me through I wasn't going to let him control me in my new life. I picture his death in many ways, that brings me enough satisfaction, more satisfaction than the truth would bring.

"With power comes greed, envy and betrayal. Even if the Volturi truly care for you there will be others who will use you for their own gain. Associating with Royalty is dangerous, it will always be dangerous. After what you showed me you deserve to find peace."